Five Hurt in Switzerland Train Accident

A regional passenger train derailed early Monday in southern Switzerland, leaving five people injured and forcing the evacuation of more than two dozen passengers, authorities said.

Police said the incident occurred near the town of Goppenstein at about 7:00 a.m. local time, when 29 people were on board. 

Five passengers sustained injuries, with one taken to the hospital for treatment, while the remaining occupants were safely evacuated.

“Five people were injured. One of them was taken to hospital,” police said.

Police disclosed that preliminary findings pointed to possible avalanche activity and confirmed that the public prosecutor’s office had launched an inquiry into the incident.

The derailment happened as the region remained under a level-four avalanche warning, the second-highest on a five-point scale, due to heavy snowfall.

The train left the tracks as it was exiting the Lötschberg rail tunnel near Goppenstein, a major loading site for road and rail transport.

Train services between Goppenstein and Brig were suspended due to avalanche risks, according to federal rail operator CFF.

Authorities have advised journalists and bystanders to leave the scene because of the heightened danger of further avalanches.

Last Thursday, an avalanche buried part of the main road connecting the Lötschental valley to the plain at Goppenstein, temporarily disrupting road traffic and the Lötschberg car shuttle, though no injuries were reported.

Separately, officials ordered evacuations in parts of the municipality of Orsières following severe weather and strong winds, with heavy rainfall forecast later Monday.

Switzerland, known for its extensive and reliable rail network, has seen a decline in rail accidents over recent decades despite rising passenger numbers.

In 2023, 15 people were injured when two trains derailed about 20 minutes apart during a storm near the capital, Bern.