Swiss Train Derailment Under Avalanche Warning Leaves Five Injured
Swiss Train Derailment Under Avalanche Warning Leaves Five Injured
A regional train near Goppenstein derailed amid high avalanche risk in the Swiss Alps, injuring five as authorities investigate whether an avalanche crossed the tracks.
Five people were injured when a regional passenger train derailed near the Swiss village of Goppenstein around 07:00 local time. The train, carrying 29 passengers and traveling from Spiez to Brig, derailed as it exited the Lötschberg tunnel. Police say initial findings point to an avalanche crossing the tracks, and the public prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation. All passengers were rescued, with one person hospitalized for treatment.
Switzerland has faced heavy rain and snow in recent days, and the avalanche risk across the Alps is reported as very high. The regional danger level is listed as four out of five, prompting evacuations nearby and warnings for skiers and hikers to stay on marked slopes. Authorities continue to monitor conditions as rescue teams review the derailment and safety protocols.
Goppenstein is a key rail hub, and the incident underscores the ongoing avalanche threat in the region. Officials urge people to check avalanche bulletins before setting out and to be cautious in the mountains while weather conditions remain unsettled. In a broader response, authorities evacuated about 50 people from the nearby village of Orsieres due to heavy snow and potential slide risk, highlighting the wider alpine danger.
