A regional passenger train derailed early Monday in southern Switzerland, injuring five people and forcing the evacuation of more than two dozen passengers, according to police.
The incident occurred near Goppenstein, as the region remained under its second-highest avalanche alert, level four on a five-point warning scale. Authorities say weather conditions may have played a role in the accident.
Police said preliminary findings suggest an avalanche may have crossed the railway line shortly before the train passed.
“According to initial findings, an avalanche may have crossed the tracks shortly before the train passed,” police stated, adding that the public prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation into the derailment.
At the time of the incident, which occurred at around 7:00 a.m. local time (0600 GMT), 29 people were on board the train.
“Five people were injured. One of them was taken to hospital,” police said, noting that the remaining passengers were safely evacuated from the scene.
Heavy snowfall continued throughout the day in Goppenstein, which sits at an altitude of 1,216 metres (4,000 feet), according to observations by an AFP journalist. The train itself was not immediately visible following the derailment.
Goppenstein is a critical hub for both road and rail transport and lies at the southern exit of the Lötschberg Rail Tunnel. Police confirmed that the train derailed as it was exiting the tunnel, raising concerns about travel safety in avalanche-prone areas amid severe winter conditions.
Authorities have urged caution as investigations continue and weather-related risks remain high across the region.
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