Avalanche Derails Train in Switzerland, Five Injured

A regional train derailed in southern Switzerland on Monday morning, injuring five people and forcing the evacuation of more than two dozen passengers, police confirmed. The accident occurred near the mountain village of Goppenstein as the region was under a high avalanche warning.

Initial police reports indicate an avalanche may have crossed the tracks shortly before the train passed. The incident happened around 7:00 a.m. local time (0600 GMT) as the train was exiting the Lötschberg rail tunnel. Of the 29 people on board, five sustained injuries. One person was hospitalized, while the others were taken to safety.

The derailment took place in an area under a level-four avalanche warning on a five-point scale, the second-highest alert. Police noted the ongoing high risk of further avalanches, advising journalists to leave the scene. Heavy snowfall continued in the area, which sits at an altitude of approximately 1,216 meters.

The accident has interrupted rail traffic between Goppenstein and Brig. The federal rail operator, CFF, confirmed the closure due to the avalanche. Goppenstein serves as a critical hub for both road and rail transport, including the Lötschberg car shuttle service.

Separately, authorities issued an evacuation order for parts of the neighboring municipality of Orsières due to severe weather, strong winds, and forecasts of heavy rain.

This incident follows a period of challenging winter conditions in the Swiss Alps. Earlier in the week, an avalanche buried a section of the main road connecting the Lötschental valley to Goppenstein, briefly disrupting road traffic but causing no injuries.

Switzerland maintains one of Europe’s most extensive and heavily used rail networks, renowned for its precision and scenic routes. Despite increased usage, serious rail accidents have declined in recent decades. A notable exception was in 2023, when a storm near Bern caused two separate train derailments within 20 minutes, wounding 15 people.

An investigation into the Goppenstein derailment is now underway by the public prosecutor’s office. The focus is expected to be on the avalanche’s role and the operational protocols in place during high-level weather warnings. The event underscores the persistent hazards posed by alpine weather to transportation infrastructure, even in a country with a sophisticated rail system.