Eleven freight wagons plunge into ravine near Rijeka, closing rail link
Croatian rail officials reported no injuries after a grain train derailed at Meja station; investigators are examining a suspected brake failure.
A freight train carrying grain derailed near the Croatian port of Rijeka, sending 11 wagons into a ravine and closing the rail route through Meja station, according to Croatian reporting and rail infrastructure officials. No one was injured, but the accident caused major damage and stopped rail traffic.
Rail infrastructure operator HŽ Infrastruktura said the derailment took place at about 09:25 on the approach to Meja station. The train belonged to freight operator Transagent and was travelling towards Rijeka, according to Sitel. The locomotive and two wagons remained on the tracks while the other 11 left the railway.
The driver told a dispatcher shortly before the derailment that the train's brakes had failed and it could not be stopped, Sitel reported, citing information from the Croatian authorities. Investigators have not yet established the mechanical cause. The driver's reported warning is not itself a final technical finding.
Glas Istre reported that the line's closure cut Rijeka's principal rail connection with the rest of Croatia and European markets. Crews began clearing damaged rolling stock and preparing repairs after investigators examined the scene. Rail officials could not say precisely when traffic would resume.
Novi list reported that the route might remain closed for several days. The scale of the wreckage and the position of the wagons below the track make restoration difficult, according to reporting from the scene. No complete estimate of repair costs was provided in the supplied material.
A representative of the Croatian train drivers' union told Glas Istre that the design and reliability of brakes on this type of grain wagon had raised concerns before the crash. He referred to warnings made after an earlier rail accident in 2023. Those allegations remain part of the union's assessment and are not findings by the investigators.
The descending approach to Meja is demanding for heavy freight trains, according to Glas Istre. The derailed train was carrying a large load of grain and travelled over a steep section before reaching the station. Investigators will have to establish whether mechanical faults, track conditions or other factors caused the derailment.
What we know
- 2+ outlets · Sitel, Glas Istre Eleven freight wagons derailed into a ravine near Meja station.
- 1 outlet · Sitel No injuries were reported.
- 1 outlet · Glas Istre Croatian railway officials closed the station to traffic.
- 2+ outlets · Sitel, Glas Istre The train driver reportedly warned that the brakes had failed.
- 1 outlet · Sitel The rail connection serving Rijeka was disrupted.
Not yet confirmed
- Unconfirmed The definitive cause of the derailment.
- Unconfirmed The precise date when rail services will resume.
How each fact is established: Verified checked by an ECTV editorOfficial stated by an official body2+ outlets reported independently by two or more news organisations1 outlet reported by a single news organisation so farUnconfirmed claimed or reportedHow we label facts
Why it matters for Europe
Rijeka is a major Croatian port, and the closed railway links it to inland Croatia and European freight markets. The line's prolonged closure would affect goods transport while wrecked wagons are removed and the track is repaired.
Sources
Reported by 4 reports from 3 independent outlets in 2 countries.
- Sitel: Товарен воз излета од шините кај Риека, 11 вагони завршија во провалија
- Glas Istre: Šef sindikata o izlijetanju vlaka kod Rijeke: Očito nešto s kočnicama na njima nije ispravno, upozoravali smo i nadležnu agenciju
- Novi list: Pruga za Rijeku bit će zatvorena danima. Sindikat: Godinama smo upozoravali na ove vagone
- Glas Istre: Željeznička veza Rijeke s ostatkom Hrvatske u prekidu, ne zna se koliko će trajati sanacija. Sindikat: Godinama smo upozoravali na ove vagone
Source balance
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Questions and answers
- How many wagons derailed?
- Eleven wagons fell into a ravine, while the locomotive and two wagons remained on the tracks.
- Was anyone injured?
- Croatian reporting said there were no injuries.
- Is the railway open?
- No. The route through Meja station was closed, and a reopening date had not been confirmed.
This article was written with AI assistance from 4 verified reports and checked under the ECTV editorial policy. Spotted an error? Request a correction.