At the time, the communication and signalling protocols in place were more limited than those found in modern rail systems, which sometimes increased operational risks, particularly in remote or rural areas.

Additionally, some sources suggest that the driver of the freight train may have been fatigued and possibly unresponsive to signals, although this was never conclusively verified.

[5][6][7] Officials at the time commented they believed more dead would be found by emergency workers cutting through the wreckage with acetylene torches, as some of the cars were crushed to a quarter of their original size.

[8] Emergency response efforts were complicated by the remote location and difficult terrain, which delayed access for rescue teams.

In the aftermath of the crash, Yugoslav railway authorities conducted an investigation and identified human error and communication lapses as primary factors.

[6] According to the indictment, Aleksić and Glavčić were guilty of gross negligence; they started their shift over-exhausted because of doing some private work in free time,[4] but they turned off a safety device intended to check if the driver is awake.