Train delays remained possible in parts of Lithuania on Monday following recent derailments in Kaunas and Kėdainiai districts, a representative of the LTG Group said.
“Traffic has been restored, but unfortunately some delays persist,” Sandra Trinkūnaitė-Rimkienė said in an interview with LRT RADIO.
She said delays of up to 30 minutes were possible on routes including Vilnius–Klaipėda, Vilnius–Šiauliai, Kaunas–Šiauliai and Vilnius–Riga. Passenger train delays of up to 10 to 15 minutes were reported due to the incident in Jiesia.
Repair work is ongoing at both sites. In Gudžiūnai, efforts are focused on restoring damaged systems, while in Jiesia crews are working to remove remaining railcars.
A locomotive and four freight wagons traveling from Palemonas, Lithuania, to Duisburg, Germany, derailed in Jiesia late Saturday night. A separate incident occurred Friday at Gudžiūnai station, where several wagons carrying gravel left the tracks.
Acting LTG CEO Arūnas Rumskas said that because two accidents occurred within a short period, the company would investigate even the least likely scenarios.
Trinkūnaitė-Rimkienė said it was too early to draw conclusions from the two ongoing investigations. She added that law enforcement authorities are not currently involved in either case.
Minister urges against speculation
Lithuanian Transport Minister Juras Taminskas said the incidents may be linked to infrastructure deteriorations or other circumstances, with all possible causes investigated.
“It is natural that various thoughts may arise when two incidents occur within a few days, but today it is difficult to claim whether this is related to infrastructure or other circumstances,” Taminskas told reporters in Kaunas district. He urged to refrain from speculation before investigators present evidence.
The minister said the Safety Investigation Division of the Ministry of Justice and Lithuanian Railways (LTG) are conducting the probes, with findings expected within one to two months.
LTG interim head Rumskas described the site of the incident in Kaunas District as a complex railway junction with numerous switches where the European 1435 mm and broad 1520 mm gauges intersect.
“This is a complex node where a train must transition across several different tracks. Such locations require precise management,” Rumskas said.
The train, carrying more than 20 wagons of various cargo, was travelling from Palemonas in Kaunas to Duisburg, Germany. The locomotive and four wagons derailed, while the rest of the train remained on the tracks.
Rumskas confirmed the cargo included hazardous materials, specifically methanol, but said no leaks occurred. “The wagons remained intact, no methanol was spilled and there was no environmental damage,” he said, adding that only a small amount of coolant leaked.
Firefighters, police and railway specialists arrived at the scene after the Kaunas Fire and Rescue Board received a report at 23:43 on Saturday.
Police have opened a preliminary inquiry into the circumstances, though no pre-trial investigation has been launched. The main theory remains a technical accident, with no signs of criminal activity detected.
The incident disrupted 22 passenger trips in southern and eastern Lithuania, affecting about 800 passengers. Impacted routes included Vilnius–Kaunas, Kaunas–Marijampolė, Kaunas–Kybartai and the international Vilnius–Warsaw service.
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