A train derailed early on Monday in the canton of Valais in southern Switzerland, police said, adding that five passengers were left injured as a result. The likely cause was an avalanche, police said.
“Derailment of train, probably with injuries, operation ongoing” regional police said in a post on the social media platform X early on Monday morning, adding that the derailment occurred at 7:00 am (0600 GMT) in on the line between Goppenstein and Hohtenn.
Police later said five passengers were left injured as a result of the derailment, with one needing hospital treatment. Around 30 passengers had been on board.
The federal train operator CFF said on its website that train traffic was “interrupted between Goppenstein and Brig” because of an avalanche until February 17th.
Police later confirmed that an avalanche in the area of the tracks was the likely cause of the derailment. Parts of Switzerland have been on high alert for avalanches in recent days.
An official investigation has been opened into the cause of the incident.
Goppenstein, a key loading and unloading hub for road and rail transport, is located at the exit of the Lotschberg rail tunnel.
On Thursday, an avalanche buried a section of the main road linking the Lotschental valley to the plain at Goppenstein (see pic below).
Road traffic and the Lotschberg car shuttle were interrupted for several hours. The incident, however, caused no injuries or damage.
Avalanche à 11h40 près de la galerie Rotloiwigalerie (Goppenstein)
Route Ferden–Goppenstein–Steg fermée.
Derniers travaux de déblaiement en cours, reouverture de la route à partir de 19h00.
Aucun véhicule n’a été touché, aucun blessé. pic.twitter.com/p4OFJgFblo
— Police Valais (@PoliceValais) February 12, 2026
Separately, authorities issued an evacuation order Monday for several areas in the municipality of Orsieres “following severe weather and strong winds recorded,” and with heavy rain forecast for later Monday.
Switzerland is renowned for its extensive and punctual rail network, with frequent services between cities, towns and even villages.
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Rail enthusiasts come from all over the world to ride on some of the most picturesque routes, or those with exceptionally steep climbs.
The Swiss are the heaviest rail users in Europe in terms of kilometres travelled per person, but accidents have fallen in recent decades even as use grows, according to government statistics.
Fifteen people were wounded when two trains derailed some 20 minutes apart during a storm near the capital Bern in 2023.
With reporting from AFP
