EU Railway Fatalities Drop: Poland, Germany Top Death Toll

BRUSSELS – European Union railways have marked a significant step forward in safety, with the number of accidental fatalities dropping to 750 in 2024, a 10.8% decrease from the previous year. This positive development reverses a two-year upward trend, though the data underscores that unauthorised persons on railway tracks remain the predominant and most challenging safety issue, accounting for nearly two-thirds of all deaths.

Main Body:

Recently released figures for 2024 reveal a notable improvement in railway safety across the European Union. The total of 750 fatalities marks a significant reduction from 841 in 2023, halting a concerning rise observed over the two preceding years. This return to a downward trajectory echoes the progress made between 2014 and 2019, when fatalities fell by approximately 22%. The data also reflects the anomalous drops in 2020 and 2021, which were largely attributed to the drastic reduction in rail passenger transport during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A detailed breakdown of the 2024 statistics highlights where the industry’s greatest risks lie. The vast majority of deaths, 65.6%, involved unauthorised individuals trespassing on railway lines. The second largest group consisted of level-crossing users, who accounted for 25.5% of fatalities. In stark contrast, incidents involving passengers and railway employees were significantly lower, at 2.1% and 3.7% respectively, demonstrating the high level of safety within the operational “bubble” of trains and stations. An additional 3.1% of deaths were classified under the category of ‘others’.

The safety landscape varies considerably across member states. Poland recorded the highest number of fatalities with 163 deaths, followed by Germany with 142 and Romania with 65. Conversely, several nations demonstrated exemplary safety records, with Luxembourg and Slovenia reporting zero fatalities. Estonia and Ireland each recorded just one death, while Finland and Latvia reported four each. The data also separately tracks suicides, which remain a profound challenge, consistently outnumbering accidental deaths. In 2024, there were 2,357 suicides on EU railways, with Germany (688), France (267), and the Netherlands (186) recording the highest numbers.

Key Takeaways

• Positive Safety Trend Resumes: The 10.8% decrease in fatalities reverses a two-year increase, putting the EU back on a path of improving rail safety.
• Trespassing is the Core Issue: Unauthorised access to tracks is the single largest cause of death, responsible for almost two-thirds of all fatalities, far outweighing all other categories combined.
• Passenger Safety Remains High: Fatalities involving passengers constitute a very small fraction (2.1%) of the total, reinforcing rail’s status as one of the safest modes of mass transport for its users.

Editor’s Analysis

This data presents a dual narrative for the European rail sector. On one hand, the overall reduction in fatalities is a clear victory for safety protocols, technological advancements, and operational diligence. It demonstrates that the industry’s focus on safety is yielding tangible results. However, the report also serves as a stark reminder that the greatest risks to the railway system lie outside the train itself. The persistently high number of deaths from trespassing and at level crossings—over 91% of the total—shows that the next frontier in rail safety involves managing the interface between the railway and the public. This calls for a strategic pivot towards enhanced trackside surveillance, intrusion detection systems, public awareness campaigns about the dangers of trespassing, and the continued modernisation or elimination of high-risk level crossings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the main cause of railway fatalities in the EU in 2024?
The primary cause was unauthorised persons on railway tracks, which accounted for 65.6% of the 750 total accidental deaths.

How did the number of railway deaths in 2024 compare to the previous year?
In 2024, there were 750 fatalities, representing a 10.8% decrease from the 841 deaths recorded in 2023.

Which EU countries had the highest and lowest number of railway fatalities in 2024?
Poland recorded the highest number with 163 deaths, followed by Germany (142). Luxembourg and Slovenia recorded the lowest, with zero fatalities.