During 2023, the number of serious accidents has increased on Swedish railways, as shown by the Transport Agency's annual safety report. In 2022, 8 people died in accidents and 8 were seriously injured, while in 2023, 15 people died and 14 were seriously injured.
The most common cause of death on the railway is suicide. The number of suicides on the railway increased during the year from 60 people in 2022 to 78 people in 2023.
The number of fatalities in rail traffic is to be halved from 2020 to 2030, according to Sweden's national goals, and the Transport Agency notes in the report that the development is not in line with what is required to achieve the goal.
2023 is also the year with the most employees involved in accidents and the year with the most serious accidents since 2016. Shunting accidents make up a large proportion, where certain work tasks are particularly hazardous.
