Czech region declares state of emergency after 'world's largest' benzene contamination

Authorities in the Czech Republic have declared a state of emergency in the Olomouc region after what officials are calling the world’s largest benzene contamination of its kind, following a freight train derailment last month.

The emergency declaration, announced by Olomouc Governor Ladislav Okleštěk, covers the area surrounding Hustopeče nad Bečvou in the Přerov district, where a toxic chemical spill has contaminated local soil and water sources, including a nearby lake.

“We have unanimously agreed to declare a state of emergency as of 12:00 today in the Olomouc Region,” Okleštěk said. The order will allow for a faster and more coordinated response to the environmental crisis, giving local authorities the power to impose work obligations, commandeer resources, and restrict movement in affected areas, Euronews reported.

The derailment occurred on February 28, when a freight train travelling at high speed crashed at the entrance to Hustopeče station. Most of its 17 carriages caught fire, releasing around 350 tonnes of benzene from tankers carrying a total of 1,020 tonnes. Much of the leaked chemical seeped into the groundwater.

The harms of benzene-contaminated water

Benzene-contaminated water can have serious and potentially life-threatening health effects, both short-term and long-term. Benzene is a highly toxic chemical and is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the World Health Organization (WHO).

If a person drinks water contaminated with benzene at high levels, even for a short time, they may experience drowsiness, dizziness, headaches, confusion, rapid heart rate, vomiting and stomach irritation, tremors or convulsions.

In extreme cases, it can lead to loss of consciousness or even death.

Environment Minister Petr Hladik said the situation at the crash site was worsening rapidly and required immediate intervention to protect local drinking water. “The first benzene-affected water well appeared in the area within hours,” he said. “We had to act quickly.”

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Specialist teams have begun extracting benzene from the contaminated groundwater, digging dozens of remediation pits between the rail tracks and the nearby lake. To prevent further spread, construction crews are installing Larsen walls — underground barriers driven as deep as seven metres — to contain the toxic plume.

The financial damage from the disaster is expected to reach CZK 1 billion (€40.1 million), according to Okleštěk. The state of emergency will remain in effect until 27 April.