Soviet authorities suppressed the news of the disaster and there are persistent rumors that the official death toll of 20 dead and 80 injured is understated, but it remains the largest railway accident in Lithuania.

[3] People tried to break windows and escape the burning train while locals organized help and vehicles to bring the injured to the nearest hospital in Kaišiadorys.

In particular, people suffered severe burns when their synthetic clothes (especially, polyester raincoats and nylon stockings) melted onto their skin due to the heat.

[2] Soviet authorities suppressed the news of the disaster and provided only the basic information minimizing the number of victims.

[3] Soviet authorities charged dispatcher Stasys Urbonavičius and foreman Motiejus Šiško and sentenced them to 13 and 3 years in prison, respectively, in August 1975.

[3] However, due to a mechanical malfunction, the signaling system did not alert the men that the cargo train was not fully moved off the live track.

[4] Urbonavičius was released from prison after serving seven years, returned to railroad work, and had 20% of his salary taken out for property damage reimbursement.

[2] Their ages were from 19 to 40 and included a pregnant woman, who was also a relative of former president Kazys Grinius,[4] and a sister of dissident and future politician Vidmantas Povilionis.