Police in Białystok detained two 17-year-old men following a dangerous incident on railway property. According to the official statement, which was released first, the youths switched a railway switch on one of the sidings. The incident was noticed by the driver of a passing shunting locomotive, who immediately notified the authorities. The event occurred near Węglowa Street in the Dziesięciny district. Police emphasize that thanks to the officers' swift intervention, potentially tragic consequences were avoided. The young men explained their actions as curiosity. The case is being classified as endangering a land traffic disaster.
Switching the Railway Switch
The basis for the detention was the physical switching of a railway switch by the teenagers. This act, performed by unauthorized persons, constitutes a direct threat to train traffic safety, as it can lead to derailment or collision of trains.
Swift Reaction by the Driver and Police
A key role in uncovering the incident was played by an alert shunting locomotive driver, who, witnessing the youths' actions, immediately notified the authorities. Police arrived at the scene within minutes, allowing for the perpetrators to be caught red-handed and the scene secured.
Legal Qualification of the Act
The District Prosecutor's Office in Białystok is conducting an investigation into an offense under Article 173 of the Penal Code, i.e., endangering a land traffic disaster. The penalty for this is imprisonment from 6 months to 8 years. The young men have already been questioned as suspects.
Perpetrators' Explanation and Location Context
The detained 17-year-olds, residents of Białystok, in their initial statements explained their act as simple curiosity. The incident took place on railway property on Węglowa Street, an area often used for freight maneuvers, which further increased the risk associated with their actions.
On Thursday, March 5, 2026, a dangerous incident occurred on railway property in Białystok, which could have had serious consequences. Two 17-year-old city residents were detained by police after they switched a railway switch on one of the sidings in the area of Węglowa Street. The incident was noticed by the driver of a passing shunting locomotive, who immediately informed the appropriate services. Thanks to a quick response, a police patrol arrived at the scene within minutes. Officers found two young men, dressed in dark clothing, on the tracks. They were immediately detained. Preliminary investigative findings indicate that the teenagers physically manipulated the switch control device. A railway switch is a key device used for switching tracks, directing trains from one route to another. Its unauthorized switching by an unqualified person is extremely dangerous, as it can cause a train derailment, head-on or side collision of trains, which carries the risk of death and serious injury for passengers and crew, as well as enormous material losses. During interrogation, the young people explained their actions as simple curiosity and a desire to see how such a device works. The District Prosecutor's Office in Białystok has launched an investigation into an offense under Article 173 § 1 of the Penal Code, i.e., endangering a land traffic disaster. According to this provision, anyone who causes a direct danger of a disaster in land, water, or air traffic is subject to imprisonment from 6 months to 8 years. The 17-year-olds have already been questioned as suspects. Police stress that thanks to the lightning-fast intervention of the driver and their own officers, a real danger was prevented. A railway guard patrol was also called to the scene, securing the area and checking the technical condition of the switch. The incident did not cause train delays, as it concerned a siding, not a main railway line. The case once again draws attention to the problem of safety on railway property and the need to educate young people about the deadly dangers associated with "playing" near tracks. In the past, similar, often tragic, incidents have occurred in various parts of the country. This time, only thanks to the vigilance of a railway worker and the efficiency of the services, the incident ended only with detention and charges, not a real disaster. The teenagers now face proceedings before a family court, and any potential penalty will depend on the circumstances of the case and the assessment of the social danger of their act.