Avalanche Hits Train in Swiss Alps, Passengers Safe
In a surprising incident, an avalanche struck a train moving through the beautiful Swiss Alps, near Zermatt, on February 17. The dramatic scene was captured on video by Kirsten Osborne, an Australian living in the U.K.
While enjoying the trip with other passengers, Kirsten filmed a massive wall of snow rushing towards them. In the video, a child can be heard exclaiming “uh-oh!” multiple times as the snow quickly approached. Just moments later, the train was engulfed in thick white snow, shaking as the avalanche crashed into it.
After the frightening event, passengers were trapped for about two hours until rescuers arrived to help them to safety. Kirsten shared her experience, stating, “We were stuck for two hours before the rescue came and took us by bus.”
Fortunately, there were no reported injuries from the incident. The rail company operating the train, Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn, confirmed that all passengers were safely evacuated with the assistance of emergency services. They noted another avalanche hit the area shortly after the train incident, prompting a suspension of operations on the route for safety reasons.
“The avalanche occurred around 11 a.m. and affected the regional train service,” the company stated. “We are working closely with specialists to assess and ensure safety across the entire route between Disentis and Zermatt.”
This alarming event occurred amidst hazardous conditions in the Alps, where heavy snowfall has raised avalanche risks this winter. Just a day before, another train near Goppenstein derailed, injuring five people. Reports suggest an avalanche could be a potential cause, highlighting ongoing concerns in the region.
As winter continues, the safety of travelers in the mountainous areas remains a priority.
