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LTG Infra Head: Wagon Axle System Deactivated Before Gudžiūnai Derailment
🇱🇹 Lithuania /Disasters & Emergencies

LTG Infra Head: Wagon Axle System Deactivated Before Gudžiūnai Derailment

From Delfi · (42m ago) Lithuanian Critical tone

Translated from Lithuanian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The head of "LTG Infra" stated that a wagon axle control system was deactivated on the section where wagons derailed in Gudžiūnai.
  • The system's deactivation was reportedly communicated by the manufacturer, and its functioning could have detected overheating sooner.
  • Lithuanian Railways (LTG) will initiate a commission to investigate the causes of recent accidents, including the Gudžiūnai derailment and another incident in Jiesia.

The recent spate of derailments on Lithuanian Railways (LTG) has raised serious concerns about the safety and maintenance of the country's rail infrastructure. The admission by the head of "LTG Infra" that a critical wagon axle control system was deactivated at the site of the Gudžiūnai accident is particularly alarming.

Ruožas buvo pakankamai ilgas, kad užkaistų sistema ir užsiblokuotų. Vienoje atkarpoje sistema jau buvo atjungta ir pervežta į kitą vietą. Tai yra austrų kompanija. Sena sistema, bet buvo iki šiol palaikoma ir prižiūrima. Tiesiog jos modernizacijai poreikis yra daugybę metų. Mes prašėme investicinių lėšų atnaujinti tą sistemą, bet tol, kol negavome jų, prižiūrėjome savo jėgomis su gamintojų atstovu, bet dabar detalių jiems nebeliko

— V. ŽalimasV. Žalimas, head of "LTG Infra," explains that the wagon axle control system was deactivated on the section where wagons derailed, citing the system's age and maintenance challenges.

While the manufacturer reportedly communicated the system's deactivation, questions remain about the decision-making process and oversight that allowed operations to continue without this vital safety feature. The explanation that the system could have detected overheating sooner highlights a potential failure in risk management.

Kaip komentavo žurnalistams, vagonų aširačių kontrolės sistema (riedmenų automatinės kontrolės sistema, RAKS) buvo išjungta tame ruože, kur nuo bėgių ir nuriedėjo vagonai.

— V. ŽalimasV. Žalimas informed journalists that the wagon axle control system (RAKS) was deactivated on the section where the wagons derailed.

Lithuanian readers will undoubtedly be looking for transparency and accountability as LTG launches its investigation. The commitment to forming a high-level commission is a step in the right direction, but the public will expect concrete measures to prevent future incidents. This situation underscores the ongoing need for investment in modernizing and maintaining critical infrastructure to ensure the safety and reliability of essential services like rail transport.

Apie sistemos išjungimą pranešė pats gamintojas.

— V. ŽalimasV. Žalimas mentioned that the manufacturer itself reported the deactivation of the system.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Delfi in Lithuanian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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