Avalanche-Linked Derailment in Switzerland Leaves Several Hurt

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Switzerland: A passenger train in southern Switzerland derailed on Monday morning, injuring multiple people as the Alps grapple with dangerous winter conditions and elevated avalanche risk. The incident occurred near the village of Goppenstein in the canton of Valais, where heavy snowfall and wind-driven snow have heightened hazard levels across the mountain region.

The service, operated by Bern-Lötschberg-Simplon (BLS), was travelling on the line between Goppenstein and Hohtenn at around 07:00 local time when it left the tracks. Local police and rail officials say preliminary findings indicate snow and debris likely from a recent avalanche may have been on the railway just moments before the train passed.

Of the roughly 29 people on board, at least five passengers sustained injuries. One person was taken to hospital in Sion for further treatment, while emergency teams treated others at the scene. All travellers were evacuated safely, and services between Goppenstein and Brig were suspended as rescue and inspection operations continued.

Authorities in Switzerland have issued elevated avalanche warnings after a series of storms dumped heavy snow in recent days. The Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL) has warned that wind-loaded snow layers have made slopes unstable, raising the chance of natural avalanches even without human triggers.

The derailment adds to a broader pattern of avalanche incidents across the Alps in recent days, with deadly slides reported in neighbouring France and Italy, where skiers have been killed and mountain rescue teams remain on alert.

Swiss rail operator BLS and the public prosecutor’s office have launched investigations to establish the precise cause of the derailment and assess potential safety improvements for rail travel under extreme alpine weather.

Photo Credit:AFP