Swiss train derailment: Avalanche hits passenger bogies with about 80 on board, multiple casualties feared

A passenger train in Switzerland derailed after a major avalanche struck the line on Monday morning, with authorities fearing multiple injuries.

The train, carrying around 80 passengers, was forced off the tracks near the village of Goppenstein in the southwestern canton of Valais at about 7 am, police said. Emergency responders rushed to the site as rescue efforts got underway and officials warned that injuries were “likely”.

Train departed Brig with 80 passengers

The service had departed the town of Brig shortly after 6 am on Monday (February 16) when the avalanche struck, forcing several carriages off the tracks.

Rail operator Bern–Lötschberg–Simplon said the train derailed after a “large avalanche” swept across the line in the Stockgraben area, adding that passengers were expected to be evacuated soon. By just after 10 am local time, 30 people had been evacuated.

“The train derailed due to an avalanche that came down in the Stockgraben area,” a BLS spokesperson told 20 Minuten.

Heavy snowfall likely trigger, services suspended

Local media reported that heavy snowfall in recent days likely triggered the avalanche, and several rail services have been suspended until at least 4 pm. Authorities have not confirmed the number of injured, though Swiss outlets reported that multiple casualties are expected.

The incident comes five days after another avalanche in the same region temporarily cut off a nearby valley from the rest of the country.

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It remains unclear whether the train was struck directly by the avalanche. The service had departed Spiez at 6.12 am and was travelling south towards Brig when the incident occurred.