Three carriages of a freight train carrying kerosene derailed at Rákos station in Budapest on Monday afternoon, with two carriages overturning and one reportedly leaking fuel. Major disruption is expected on several railway lines.

Three carriages derailed at Rákos

Three carriages of a freight train carrying hazardous material derailed at Rákos railway station in Budapest’s 10th district on Monday afternoon, according to Mávinform.

The train was carrying kerosene. Two of the tankers overturned, while a third was left dangerously tilted near Jászberényi Road.

One of the overturned carriages was reportedly leaking kerosene. Firefighters quickly contained the leak, according to Hungary’s disaster management authority. Rail traffic at Rákos station was suspended at 4:30 PM to allow technical rescue operations to begin. A complete track closure is currently in effect on the affected section.

Major disruption on Budapest–Miskolc and Budapest–Békéscsaba routes

The incident is expected to cause significant disruption during the afternoon on the Budapest–Hatvan–Miskolc and Budapest–Szolnok–Békéscsaba railway lines.

Several services have been shortened or diverted as a result.

  • Budapest–Miskolc InterCity services, including the Tokaj and Hernád-Zemplén, only run as far as Hatvan from Miskolc and depart from Hatvan in the opposite direction.
  • Budapest–Békéscsaba InterCity services only run as far as Szolnok.
  • The Agria and Mátra InterRégió services operate between Gödöllő and Gyöngyös/Eger.
  • Tokaj and Nyírség InterCity services are being diverted via Cegléd.
  • S76 trains only operate between Újpalota and Pilisvörösvár.
  • S60/Z60 services to Sülysáp and Szolnok depart from Rákoshegy instead of Rákos.

If you missed it: Budapest transport update: Major tram changes from Monday, Sziget bridge renovation ahead

Replacement buses and alternative transport

Replacement buses are operating between Keleti railway station and Pécel instead of S80 and InterRégió services, and between Keleti and Hatvan instead of InterCity services. Additional replacement buses are running between Keleti and Rákoshegy.

MÁV is also recommending the H8 HÉV suburban railway line as an alternative. Passengers holding valid railway tickets can use several BKK services at no additional cost, including:

  • M2 metro;
  • H8 HÉV;
  • M3 metro between Deák Ferenc tér and Kőbánya-Kispest;
  • M4 metro between Keleti pályaudvar and Kálvin tér;
  • 168E, 161 and 262 buses;
  • 97E and 169E buses, which also stop at Rákos railway station;
  • 98, 98E and 198 buses.

Passengers travelling through Budapest this afternoon should allow extra time and check the latest service information before setting off, as the restrictions may change while the technical rescue operation continues.

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