Suicide on and around the railroad tracks remains a serious and sensitive topic in the Netherlands that profoundly affects lives and daily routines.
It is about more than just numbers. Behind every report lies grief among relatives, shock among passengers, and a heavy mental burden on train drivers and other railway personnel. At the same time, the subject requires careful reporting, with restraint regarding locations and methods going hand in hand with a focus on prevention and available help.
The Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate publishescomprehensive informationon rail safety every year. This includes the number of suicides and a comparison with the total number of suicides in the Netherlands. For the period from 2020 to 2024, the picture that emerges appears relatively stable at first glance, but in absolute terms it remains confronting. During these five years, the number of suicides on the railways fluctuated between roughly 186 and 210 per year. The year 2022 stood out as a relatively higher year, with 210 recorded deaths. In 2020, there were 198 cases, in 2021 there were 186, in 2023 there were 190, and in 2024 there were again 186.
ten percent
When these figures are compared to the national total, it appears that the proportion of suicides on and around the railway is structurally around ten percent. In 2020, that share was 10.9 percent, in 2021 exactly 10.0 percent, in 2022 approximately 11.0 percent, in 2023 9.6 percent, and in 2024 again 10.0 percent. This means that roughly one in ten suicides in the Netherlands takes place in the railway environment, as reported by the ILT. Behind these percentages lies a social impact that goes far beyond the statistics.
In addition to the number of deaths, the ILT also reports on the broader number of incidents. According to the annual report, there were 276 suicide incidents on the railways in 2024. This figure includes not only fatalities, but also attempts and situations without physical injury. For train traffic and the employees involved, each incident means an acute disruption, often with long-term consequences in the form of discussions, counseling, and processing.
impact
Practice shows that stability in figures does not equate to calm. Every incident leads to trains being stopped, diversions, and major delays. Passengers are suddenly confronted with alarming reports, while train drivers sometimes have to deal with an irreversible situation in a fraction of a second. The impact on their mental health can be significant, and long-term support is often necessary.
The government recognizes the seriousness of the situation and reports "approximately 200" suicides on the railways each year. With this in mind, a coherent package of measures has been implemented in recent years. These include physical interventions such as fencing and barriers, modifications to the environment that make access more difficult, improved lighting, and clear references to emergency services. The aim is not only to prevent incidents, but also to offer people in a moment of crisis a different route, both literally and figuratively.
railway infrastructure manager
In this context, ProRail describes a combined approach in which physical measures are linked to camera detection. According to the rail network manager, the number of suicides has "fallen sharply" at locations where this combination has been implemented. This approach will be further expanded to other high-risk locations in the coming years, with implementation continuing until 2027. The aim is to make a structural difference without resorting to simplistic solutions to a complex problem.
Opposite figures and measures is the human side. For anyone who feels affected by this subject, or who is concerned about someone in their environment, talking is essential. In the Netherlands, people can contact 113 Suicide Prevention anonymously by calling 113 or 0800-0113. In case of immediate danger, 112 should always be called. Mentioning this help is not a formality, but acrucial partof responsible reporting.
