A month after a train derailment caused what officials described as the world’s largest benzene contamination, authorities in the Olomouc region of the Czech Republic have declared a state of emergency. The incident, which occurred on 28 February, involved a train crash near Hustopeče nad Bečvou in the Přerov region, leading to the spread of toxic benzene.
Olomouc Governor Ladislav Okleštěk made the emergency declaration after it was confirmed that the nearby lake had been fully contaminated by the hazardous substance. He explained that the state of emergency was necessary to speed up the remediation efforts for the polluted soil and water.
“We have unanimously agreed to declare a state of emergency as of 12:00 today in the Olomouc Region,” said Okleštěk.
The declaration of a state of emergency gives local authorities special powers to respond to the crisis. These powers include the ability to impose work obligations, provide resources for the emergency response, carry out construction work, and restrict access to the affected areas until the situation is resolved.
Czech Environment Minister Petr Hladik emphasized that the situation was worsening rapidly, particularly as benzene contamination began to affect local water supplies. He noted that the first water well contaminated by benzene was found within hours of the accident, underscoring the urgent need to address the crisis to protect drinking water sources.
Efforts to remove benzene from the affected water sources are already underway. A team of professionals has started digging remediation pits between the railroad tracks and the contaminated lake, while Larsen walls are being constructed at depths of seven meters to prevent the further spread of the toxic substance.
“180 metres of the Larsen Wall is now complete. I don’t want to speak for the company that is doing it now, so as not to give any misinformation, but I have information that 25 – 30 metres are being built by these guys every day, so they are doing an excellent job,” said Radek Buryánek, Spokesperson of the Olomouc Regional Fire Brigade.
“The Larsen walls certainly help in terms of reducing the concentration of benzene that is pushed through the bedrock into that lake,” he added. “As far as the next thing is concerned, there will certainly be at least 210 metres of Larsen walls built in that first phase, and there is the possibility that more Larsen walls will be built, and that basically the whole area of the accident should be bypassed by those Larsen walls.”
The state of emergency follows the derailment of a freight train at the entrance to the Hustopeče station, suspected to have been caused by high speed. A fire quickly spread to most of the 17 carriages, and around 350 tonnes of benzene leaked from the tankers, contaminating groundwater in the process.
The expected financial damage from the benzene spill is estimated to be around CZK 1 billion (€40.1 million). The state of emergency will remain in effect until 27 April.
