Swiss train crash latest: Several people injured after avalanche causes train to derail in Alps
Around 80 people were believed to be onboard the train in the Valais region, according to Swiss media reports
Five people have been injured after a train derailed in Switzerland following an avalanche near the Swiss Alps, police have said.
One person was taken to hospital and four others were treated at the scene after emergency services evacuated 29 passengers trapped near Goppenstein, in the Valais region, this morning.
Valais police said an avalanche may have crossed the tracks shortly before the train passed through at around 7am, as they launched an investigation into the cause.
Eight mountain rescuers, two ambulances and a helicopter were involved in efforts to free the people on board this morning, they said.
The train departed the town of Spiez, on the shores of Lake Thun, at 6:12am. The line is expected to be closed until at least 4am on Tuesday (3am GMT).
Five people injured in train crash: police
Five people were injured in the crash on Monday, police have now shared in a preliminary report.
Twenty-nine people were on board at the time, they clarified.
One casualty was taken to the hospital in nearby Sion, while four were treated at the scene.
All passengers were safely evacuated.
The Public Prosecutor's Office has opened an investigation to determine the exact circumstances of this accident.
Severe avalanche warnings in place across Switzerland
A map shared by the Swiss Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research shows heightened risk for avalanches on Monday.
The colours correspond to hazard levels, with red indicating a level four ‘high’ risk of avalanche, orange indicating a level three ‘significant’ risk, and yellow indicating ‘moderate’ risk.
Valais communities evacuated over storm risk
A village in Valais canton is being evacuated over the increased risk from poor weather conditions.
Due to strong winds and severe storms, parts of La Fouly will be evacuated from 11am on Monday until further notice.
Authorities indicated that homes in avalanche danger zones on the L'A Neuvaz plateau, in the hamlet of Le Clou/Les Granges, and in the village of Ferret, would be affected.
A cross-country ski trail was also closed today.
Pictured: Rescuers work at site of avalanche
In pictures: Heavy snow near site of train derailment
Swiss authorities raised avalanche risk level last week
Monday morning’s train crash comes days after Swiss authorities raised the avalanche risk level to high.
Last Wednesday, the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL) raised the alert to level four, the second-highest on the scale.
As of Monday morning, the alert remained at very high, the organisation’s website shows.
It came after large amounts of fresh snow built up in the region over, laying over an older, weaker layer of snow - setting the conditions for a possible avalanche.
Around 30 people evacuated, say Swiss police
Swiss police announced the derailment earlier on social media.
In a brief statement, they said it occurred on the Goppenstein/Hohtenn line, and confirmed that 30 people had been evacuated.
Authorities said more information would soon follow.
Swiss train derailed by avalanche with multiple casualties feared
A train carrying around 80 passengers has derailed in Switzerland following an avalanche this morning, authorities said as rescuers scrambled to reach survivors.
Several carriages were forced off the line near the village of Goppenstein, in the southwestern canton of Valais, around 7am this morning, police said.
Ambulances and rescue helicopters raced to the scene as police warned injuries were “likely”. They reported just after 10am local time that 30 people have so far been evacuated.
“The train derailed due to an avalanche that came down in the Stockgraben area,” a spokesperson for train owner BLS told 20 Minuten.
James Reynolds reports:
Swiss train derailed by avalanche with multiple casualties feared
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