Two Passengers Die on Ukrainian Railways Trains in One Day Amid Heatwave Over 35°C

Inside Ukrainian Railways: Overcrowded Carriages and Broken ACs Fuel Outrage

According to УНІАН — Туризм: Ukrainian Railways (Ukrzaliznytsia) is facing a wave of passenger complaints over what many call inhumane conditions inside its carriages. With outdoor temperatures exceeding +35°C, broken air conditioning systems, and sealed windows, the heat inside some trains reportedly reached around +45°C, causing severe discomfort and health risks. Over the past 24 hours, two fatalities were recorded aboard Ukrzaliznytsia trains-one on route 094O from Chelm to Kharkiv and another on route 198Sh from Kovel to Kyiv.

Passengers have voiced their anger over the situation. Olga described her experience on train 094O as 'an experience I would rather not have had.' Anastasia shared that her mother had to be taken away by ambulance due to the extreme conditions. Another traveler, Alya, asked, 'Please explain how it is possible to run trains without air conditioning and with closed windows in 49+ degree heat?' She stressed that such conditions pose a serious threat to children and the elderly.

Official Recommendations from Ukrzaliznytsia

In response, Ukrzaliznytsia advises passengers to report issues to conductors or train managers. The company stated, 'If your ticket indicated that the carriage is equipped with air conditioning but it was not working, notify the train manager.' When available, passengers may be moved to another carriage with empty seats. The company also noted that ticket shortages-especially on the Kyiv–Lviv route-are worsening because they cannot afford to remove non-air-conditioned carriages from service.

Additionally, Ukrzaliznytsia has launched a new regional train, No. 838/837, running between Odesa and Karolino-Buhaz for the summer season, operating on even-numbered days. Between June 8 and June 21, the railway carried over a million passengers, highlighting high summer travel demand. However, given the ongoing air conditioning failures, many travelers remain concerned about the safety and comfort of their journeys.

The crisis inside Ukrzaliznytsia carriages underscores the urgent need to address passenger comfort and safety, especially during summer months when temperatures can far exceed normal levels. The high demand for travel only amplifies the necessity of upgrading infrastructure and improving carriage maintenance to prevent such incidents in the future.

As the situation with extreme heat on trains escalates, it's important to note that despite these challenges, Ukrainian Railways has successfully transported over a million passengers in just two weeks. This highlights the ongoing demand for rail travel, even amidst discomfort and safety concerns. Understanding the scale of passenger traffic can provide insight into the urgency for improvements in service conditions.