On the evening of March 7, Train 7106, transporting 30 passengers from Podgorica to Nikšić, disregarded a red stop signal near the Danilovgrad railway station. The train crossed the exit switches and ended up on the same track, directly facing a freight train approaching from the opposite direction. Fortunately, a collision was averted, and further details regarding the incident will be revealed following the investigations by the relevant commissions.

The Railway Transport (ŽPCG) has informed “Vijesti” that the passengers’ safety was not compromised, suggesting that initial findings point to human error as the cause of the incident. The train driver has since been suspended, and additional information will be released after the commission concludes its investigation.

However, a source within the company disagrees with ŽPCG’s assessment, asserting that the train driver, conductor, assistant, and passengers were indeed at risk that evening. The source explained that as the train driver realized it was on a collision course with the freight train, he exited the passenger compartment and used lights to signal the freight train to halt, and attributed the near-miss to sheer luck…

The passenger train that left Podgorica last Friday around 18:30 was operated by a train driver known as GN, according to “Vijesti”.

The Directorate for Railway Transport of the Ministry of Transport told “Vijesti” that if a collision had occurred, it could have resulted in significant material damage. Passengers were provided alternative transportation within half an hour, and a report to the prosecutor’s office will follow the findings of the inspections and commissions…

“Based on initial information, there are claims that Train 7106 ignored a red light and bypassed the exit switches while a freight train approached from the opposite direction. Fortunately, contact was avoided, and the 30 passengers remained unharmed. However, official confirmation of this extraordinary incident will only be available once the investigation is complete. Had a collision taken place, it would likely have caused severe damages. The Ministry of Transport plans to submit all documentation to the appropriate prosecutor’s office after the inspections and commission findings are finalized, as we believe that any threats to railway safety should be prosecuted and appropriately addressed,” stated the Directorate.

Serious consequences of mistakes.

The Directorate emphasized that the investigative reports from the commission are still pending, and it is only after these reports are completed that relevant data and the reasons behind the incident will be disclosed. The Ministry of Transport will also issue an official statement at that time.

They highlighted that the Ministry took immediate action upon learning of the incident, with an inspector from the Directorate for Inspection Supervision of Railway Infrastructure, Traffic, and Cable Cars dispatched to coordinate the actions of both the first-instance and second-instance commissions, as well as to implement measures for ensuring safe traffic on that stretch of railway.

“The Inspectorate has undertaken all necessary measures to maintain normal traffic operations. Additionally, all passengers from Train 7106 were transferred to their respective destinations via alternative transport just 25 minutes after the emergency occurred. Any errors in railway operations can have grave consequences. This incident, while a near miss, underscores the critical need to uphold safety protocols and adequately train personnel. The Ministry of Transport is adamant about this, and all railway system companies have been repeatedly reminded that safety must be a top priority,” emphasized the Directorate.

ŽPCG stated that the second-instance commission for extraordinary events is actively investigating the incident according to statutory regulations and timelines. They announced the incident on Saturday, March 8, disclosing that traffic was restored the previous Friday around 21:30, with the train from Podgorica to Nikšić departing with a slight delay at 22:10.

At that time, they indicated that initial findings suggested the human factor was to blame, and the train driver had been suspended, urging patience as the commissions continued their work, asserting that passengers aboard were not in danger.

“Thus, ŽPCG must not interfere with the commission’s work or make any statements or conclusions until the second-instance commission has completed its investigation. Once all investigative actions are concluded and the expert findings from the second-instance commission are in, ŽPCG will provide an official statement,” the company added.

Everyone was at risk.

However, an unofficial source within the company claims that the circumstances were far from safe, as the train driver ignored the red signal and bypassed the switch, endangering the driver of another train, the conductors, assistants, and passengers alike. He stated that once the train driver recognized they were both on the same track, he stopped the train and then stepped out, waving to signal the incoming freight train to halt.

The source noted that the exact distance between the trains during the incident was unclear, but accounts from employees on the freight train suggested that the passenger train subsequently reversed to mitigate the situation.

“The prosecutor’s office and related authorities were not involved immediately, and the train driver was not tested for alcohol. There is speculation that the train was indeed reversing. All personnel involved—train drivers, conductors, assistants, and passengers—could have faced fatal consequences. The situation raises various concerns; he should have complied with the red light, but instead, he crossed over and met the freight train, somehow managing to halt it in time. It’s worth noting that the train driver had a history with both ‘Kombinovani prevoz’ and ’16. februar’, leading to his termination from ŽPCG for refusing to sign an annex to his contract. Nonetheless, he was later reinstated, raising questions about the circumstances,” the source pointed out.

They also mentioned that this is not the first occurrence of such an incident, referencing a separate case where another potential train accident nearly took place.

A tragic railway accident in Bioč back in January 2006 resulted in 47 fatalities and over two hundred injuries.

ŽPCG also faced scrutiny at the end of the previous year when multiple trains were stopped due to reports that some employees were obstructing work by refusing to sign contract amendments that restricted them from simultaneously working for both state-owned and private companies without approval.

The staff argued they were refusing to operate malfunctioning trains and demanded salary increases, with some being terminated for their refusal to sign the amendments. Following a meeting between workers and the Ministry of Transport, it was decided to revise the contract terms, allowing employees to take on additional work in the same industry as long as the provisions of the Law on Safety, Organization, and Efficiency of Railway Transport were not violated and with ŽPCG’s consent.

Moreover, ŽPCG management was given the opportunity to engage with laid-off workers, allowing for potential reinstatement if they agreed to sign the contract amendment.

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