21 freight trains were cancelled. The total account was 118 dead and 110 seriously injured (according to some sources 110 and 106). It was impossible to identify some of the victims and three bodies were not found. The total damage was around 477.000 Kčs (Czechoslovak crowns – country average month income was 1,303 Kčs in 1960). Aftermath Court trial The disaster clarifying begun immediately in the night. The government investigation commission was created, which published the final report on 30 November 1960. In general, it stated flagrant violation of elementary railway transportation rules. The trials took place at the Regional Court in Hradec Králové from 8 to 11 February 1961. The verdict of the train 608 crew was: train head – 5.5 years imprisonment train driver – 4.5 years imprisonment (released after 3 years) senior conductor – 4 years imprisonment assistant/fireman – 1.5 year imprisonment junior conductor – 1-year suspended train attendant – acquitted All those convicted were also forbidden from the profession for several years. Publicity The official bulletin was issued on 15 November 1960 by Czechoslovak Press Agency, which was printed by the Rudé Právo (Communist Party of the Czechoslovakia central newspaper) next day. The bulletin published the number of victims, mentioned politicians who visited the disaster place and informed about the creation of a government investigation commission. The commission report was published in Rudé Právo on 14 February 1961, with information about trial which concluded the previous day. Memorial A cross was erected on the place of disaster; it was replaced about 80 meters away in 1967 and enclosed by low grille fence. On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the disaster in 2000, a memorial ceremony was held in which the municipal office in Stéblová replaced the cross (at that time considerably dilapidated and rusty) by a black granite plaque with an appropriate inscription, inserted into the modified area. References Railway accidents in 1960 Train and rapid transit fires Train collisions in Czechoslovakia Railway accidents and incidents in the Czech Republic 1960 in Czechoslovakia Pardubice District Railway accidents involving fog 1960 fires in Europe November 1960 events in Europe