A routine morning journey turned into a high-altitude emergency on Monday after a massive avalanche disrupted railway tracks near Goppenstein in the canton of Valais, forcing a passenger train carrying around 80 people off the rails.
The train, operated by BLS AG, had departed from Spiez and was travelling toward Brig when heavy snow swept across the Stockgraben section shortly after 7 am local time. Authorities are still investigating whether the avalanche directly struck the train or destabilised the tracks moments before it passed.
Police officials said injuries were “likely,” though a confirmed count has yet to be released. At least 30 passengers were evacuated by mid-morning as emergency responders, including helicopters and mountain rescue teams, battled challenging alpine conditions to reach the site.
Rail services on the Frutigen–Brig line have been suspended until further notice. Engineers are assessing the structural damage while monitoring slope stability amid ongoing avalanche threats.
The incident comes days after the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research raised the avalanche risk in Valais to level four out of five following intense snowfall and strong winds. The elevated warning remains in effect across parts of the Swiss Alps.
According to the European Avalanche Warning Services, avalanche-related incidents have increased sharply this winter season across the region, adding urgency to safety advisories for mountain communities and transport networks.
