Five Injured as Swiss Train Derails in Heavy Snow

Five people have been injured after a train derailed in southern Switzerland, in an incident that could have been caused by an avalanche, police say.

The derailment happened near the village of Goppenstein – which is under an avalanche warning – around 07:00 local time (06:00 GMT), officials said.

All 29 passengers have been rescued, while one of the injured was sent to hospital, police said.

Switzerland has experienced heavy rain and snow in recent days, and the country’s Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research says the avalanche risk is very high across the alps.

“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.

“Five people were injured. One of them was taken to hospital,” police added.

The regional commuter train was on its way from Spiez to Brig when it derailed.

Goppenstein, a key hub for road and rail transport, sits at the exit of the Lotschberg rail tunnel. The train derailed as it was exiting the tunnel, police said.

The region is under its second highest avalanche warning – level four of five.

Heavy snow also resulted in 50 people being evacuated from the village of Orsieres, near the French border.

Skiers have been warned by authorities to stay on the marked slopes, and those walking in the mountains should also check avalanche bulletins before setting off.

Last month, a German man was killed in an avalanche, and four other people were injured, as they were cross-country skiing in the Swiss alps.

Source: BBC

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