Major disruption on the railways after a train derailed in the Fekht area
Train services between Den Bosch and both Tilburg and Boxtel remain suspended after a work train derailed near Vught early Saturday morning. Five axles of the train left the tracks, but no injuries were reported, according to ProRail (Dutch rail infrastructure manager).
The accident happened around 3:30 a.m. on Saturday. While initial expectations suggested the lines could reopen by Monday, officials now say repairs will likely continue until 5 a.m. Tuesday due to extensive damage to railway infrastructure.
Several key track components were affected in the derailment. Damaged switches, multiple rails, and several sleepers were discovered during the inspection, forcing engineers to carry out large-scale repairs before train services can safely resume.
ProRail spokesperson لوت كاتي explained that recovery work required careful handling. She said the train had to be lifted piece by piece using special equipment, adding that removing such a heavy train safely and inspecting the track takes considerable time before repairs can begin.
Meanwhile, the Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS – Dutch national railway operator) has warned passengers to expect longer travel times and crowded trains. Replacement buses have been deployed, but rerouted journeys will still take additional time. Travelers are advised to check the NS mobile app or website before leaving.
The exact cause of the derailment is still under investigation. ProRail is working together with the contractor and the Inspectie Overheidsinformatie en Transport (IOT – Dutch Inspection of Government and Transport) to determine what led to the incident, with further updates expected soon.