On the evening of February 13, 2025, the Warsaw Metro experienced significant disruptions following the discovery of a person on the tracks at Służew station. The event triggered immediate alerts and safety protocols, resulting in the closure of six stations on the M1 line.
The situation unfolded around 5:18 PM, when authorities were alerted to the unusual presence of the individual. "A passenger found himself on the tracks," reported Maciej Czerski from Warszawskie Metro. The circumstances of how the person ended up on the tracks remain unclear, raising safety concerns and necessitating immediate action.
To prevent any potential accidents, power was turned off at the closed stations. "Power was turned off at the closed stations. The metro tunnels are being searched," Czerski elaborated. This precaution was part of a broader effort to locate the individual, who reportedly managed to escape back down the tunnel after entering the tracks.
The affected stations included Pole Mokotowskie, Racławicka, Wierzbno, Wilanowska, Służew, and Ursynów, resulting in the complete suspension of train services on the M1 line. Trains were limited to running only on loop routes, between Kabaty and Stokłosy, as well as Politechnika and Młociny.
To address the travel disruption, Warszawskie Transport Publiczny implemented replacement bus services, designated as line Z, offering passengers alternative transportation. These buses operated on the route starting from Metro Stokłosy, moving through notable stops such as al. KEN, al. Harcerzy Rzeczypospolitej, and ending at Metro Politechnika.
Initially, the alarm about the situation led to speculation of a bomb threat, causing panic among commuters. Czerski later confirmed, "Initially, there was mention of a bomb alarm, but it turned out to be something else entirely." The quick response highlighted the challenges faced by transit authorities when unexpected incidents occur.
The search for the individual on the tracks caused significant delays, with passengers temporarily stranded as the situation was resolved. Reports indicated general chaos as people were unable to access the platforms or board the trains. With the disruptions lasting for over two hours, riders experienced severe inconvenience.
By around 7:15 PM, normal operations began to resume. "We have started to restore the usual schedule," stated officials, assuring commuters of the measures taken to secure the metro system. Although train operations picked up again, the incident underscored the importance of stringent safety protocols and rapid response mechanisms within urban transit systems.
Incidents like this resonate deeply with commuters, highlighting not only concerns for safety but also the reliability of public transportation. The rapid response by authorities, including the efficient establishment of bus routes, demonstrated the importance of contingency planning for urban infrastructure.
While the immediate situation was managed and the metro service resumed, questions linger about how to prevent such occurrences from happening again. Future discussions around public safety measures on the metro may result from this incident, possibly influencing policy changes and how emergency situations are handled within the transit system.