A train has derailed on the Budapest-Debrecen-Záhony railway line on the morning of Sunday 7 May 2023. The accident took place between Újfehértó and Hajdúhadház. This railway section has been closed. “The expected time of the track restoration is not yet known”, the Mediterranean RailFreight Corridor mentions on Tuesday 9 May.

The accident involved a train from RailCargoGroup (RCG), one of the main operators on the route. There are no human casualties, the operator said. However, pictures of the accident show considerable damage to the railway track.

Detour

“Trains between Nyíregyháza and Záhony in the direction of Budapest can be operated via the detour Záhony – Nyíregyháza – Mezőzombor – Miskolc, depending on the available capacity”, the corridor management said. “Information about changes in the capacity limitation will be communicated later.”

For RCG, this detour is sufficient to keep its service running, albeit with smaller trains and less cargo load than expected.

Rail between Hungary and Ukraine

The railway line between Budapest and Záhony is a crucial route, especially since the war in Ukraine broke out. The border crossing Chop-Záhony (Ukraine-Hungary) is one of the main points where exports from Ukraine enter Europe. RCG has been one of the main players transporting these exports on this route. In the segment of agricultural products alone, more than 2 million tonnes have been exported – more than 100 trains per month.

At the Transport and Logistic fair in Munich, RCG signed an agreement with Ukrainian Railways to open a new connection between Kyiv and Vienna with stops in Budapest and Lviv. The new service is to be tested in AUgust this year.

Also read:

• RCG launches first connection between Kyiv and Vienna
• Hungary main transit route for Ukrainian grains, says RCG