DHAKA: An official says a passenger train in eastern Czech Republic smashed into a herd of cattle, killing 17 of them.

Martin Drapal, spokesman for Czech Rail Safety Inspection, says the train heading from the town of Krnov to the city of Olomouc hit the animals two hours before midnight on Friday.

The damage to the train is estimated at about US$5,000. Drapal said in a statement Saturday that the train track had to be closed for almost five hours after the incident.

Trains in the country collide with animals from time to time, but such a massive crash is exceptional.

The authorities are investigating why the cows were on the track, reports The Straits Times.

BDST: 1920 HRS, AUG 31, 2013
RoR/RK