A freight train carrying ammunition and lithium batteries derailed in northern Sweden on Sunday, likely due to heavy rainfall that damaged the railway infrastructure. The accident occurred near Skorped, in the Vasternorrland region, at around 8am. Local authorities believe the heavy rains, which also washed out roads and strained infrastructure in the area, caused the train to derail.

The train was transporting unspecified types of ammunition, and its destination remains unclear. Emergency services are currently managing the hazardous cargo, and once the site is cleared, the full extent of the damage will be assessed. According to Peter Jonsson, a spokesman for the Swedish Transport Administration, the railway restoration will take weeks, and the stop will be lengthy, although the exact duration is uncertain.

Pictures from the scene show sections of rail suspended above rapidly rushing water, with four carriages behind the locomotive having derailed and partially submerged in a nearby lake. The incident occurred on the same line where a timber train also derailed between Solleftea and Kramfors, further to the south.

Sweden, which officially became a NATO member last year, has been increasing its defense production. In 2024, the Swedish Defense Materiel Administration struck a deal with Nammo, a Norwegian-Finnish weapons producer, to boost production of 155mm artillery shells. The agreement aimed to support Ukraine and strengthen the security of supply of artillery ammunition in Sweden and the Nordic countries.

The derailment of the freight train carrying ammunition comes amid heightened tensions between Western nations and Russia. Moscow has denounced Western arms shipments to Ukraine and NATO, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating that the peace settlement process is being hindered by “reckless European militarism.” The incident highlights the ongoing challenges and complexities in the region, with Sweden’s increased defense production and NATO membership likely to remain a point of contention.