Białystok: Two 17-year-olds detained for tampering with railway switch

On Thursday, March 5, 2026, a dangerous incident occurred in Białystok that could have ended in a railway disaster. Two 17-year-old city residents were detained by police after they tampered with a switch on one of the railway sidings in the area of Węglowa Street. The incident was noticed by the driver of a passing shunting locomotive, who immediately informed the relevant authorities. Thanks to a swift response, a police patrol reached the scene within minutes. Officers found two young men on the tracks, who were dressed in dark clothing. They were immediately detained. Preliminary findings by investigators indicate that the teenagers physically manipulated the device controlling the switch. A railway switch is a key device used for switching tracks, directing trains from one route to another. Its unauthorized manipulation by an unauthorized 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. The young people, during questioning, explained their actions as mere 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 the risk of a disaster in land traffic. 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 emphasize that thanks to the swift intervention of the driver and their own officers, a real danger was prevented. A railway guard patrol was also called to the scene, which secured the area and checked the technical condition of the switch. The incident did not cause any train delays, as it concerned a siding and not a main railway line. The case once again draws attention to the problem of safety on railway premises 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 degree of social danger of their act.