During the NATO bombing campaign in Yugoslavia, an incident involving an American McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle resulted in the attack on a passenger train. This occurrence took place amid the larger conflict between Serbian forces and ethnic Albanian groups in Kosovo, which had prompted NATO's military intervention. The strike was intended to target military assets, but reports indicated that it struck a civilian train instead, leading to significant casualties among non-combatants. Estimates of the number of fatalities varied, with reports suggesting between 20 and 60 people lost their lives in this tragic event.

The NATO intervention in Kosovo arose from growing concerns over human rights abuses and ethnic cleansing perpetrated by Serbian forces against ethnic Albanians. The use of military force by NATO was aimed at stopping the violence and stabilizing the region. However, the incident involving the F-15E highlighted the complex challenges of conducting airstrikes in populated areas, where distinguishing between military objectives and civilian targets could prove problematic and lead to unacceptable collateral damage.

This incident exemplified the difficulties faced by NATO forces as they sought to maintain a balance between military objectives and minimizing civilian harm in a highly volatile environment. The consequences of such attacks raised questions about the ethics of air warfare and the responsibilities of military forces in protecting civilian lives. It also galvanized criticism of NATO's bombing campaign, spurring debates on the legality and morality of their actions within the context of international law and humanitarian rights.