A passenger train derailed on Sunday morning in the Swiss Alps after an avalanche swept onto the tracks near Goppenstein, a town in southern Switzerland. According to regional police, the incident happened at around 7 am local time, with a number of persons likely injured, although the exact number was not available at the time, reported Independent.
"Derailment of train, probably with injuries," regional police said in a post on the social media platform X, adding that the derailment occurred at 7:00 am (0600 GMT) in Goppenstein.
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The federal train operator CFF announced on its website that train traffic was interrupted between Goppenstein and Brig because of an avalanche. According to local news, train services have been paused until 4 pm local time as the rescue operation continues, reported Hindustan Times.
Prompt response by regional police
The derailment took place in a region known for its rugged terrain, Valais, which is normally characterised by a lot of snow, especially on its famous rail tracks through the Alps. According to regional police, there was a prompt response to the accident, stated the report by Independent.
The accident took place on a major rail route that passes through the Alps, specifically on the Lotschberg route, with Swiss Federal Railways announcing that rail services between Goppenstein and Brig were suspended due to avalanche damage.
Avalanche or accumulated snow?
The officials have stated that the accident took place because of an avalanche that fell onto the railway track. However, there was not much information on whether it was a collision with the accumulated snow or a new slide that struck the train, but it is now confirmed that it was related to avalanches.
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The affected section is a major artery for north-south traffic through the Alps, used by both regional and long-distance trains. Recently, winter conditions have led to heavy snowfall and temperature fluctuations, which can lead to avalanches.
Train services between Goppenstein and Brig have been halted while assessing if the tracks are safe, if the rolling stock has been damaged, and if it is safe to proceed. If this situation continues, alternative bus services may be put in place, reported Times Now.
The rail network in the Swiss mountains is considered strong and protected from harsh weather conditions. However, avalanches have always been a concern during winter.
