On Monday morning, a serious railway accident occurred in the Swiss canton of Valais. A regional train carrying nearly 30 people derailed near the town of Goppenstein. The cause of the incident was a snow avalanche that blocked the tracks just before the approaching train. Rescue services confirmed that five people were injured as a result of the incident, with one requiring transport to a hospital in Sion.
Avalanche as the cause of the accident
Snow masses blocked the railway tracks in the Goppenstein area, leading to the derailment of a regional train around 7:00.
Casualty count
As a result of the incident, five people were injured. One person was taken to a hospital in Sion, while the others received assistance on-site.
Train service interruption
The railway line between Goppenstein and Brig has been closed. Disruptions are expected to last at least until the morning of February 17.
The incident occurred on Monday, February 16, 2026, around 7:00 a.m. on the scenic but demanding route between Goppenstein and Hohtenn. A regional express train operated by the carrier BLS struck a snowdrift deposited by an avalanche in the Stockgraben area. Upon impact, several carriages derailed. Initial reports suggested there could have been up to 80 passengers on board, but final police reports revised this number to 29 people. The rescue operation was conducted in difficult winter conditions using specialized equipment. Rescue teams quickly reached the scene, evacuating all passengers. Five people were injured; four were treated on-site, while one person with more serious injuries was transported to a medical facility. SBB announced an immediate suspension of traffic on the Frutigen-Brig line. Disruptions are expected to last at least until Tuesday morning, as not only the removal of the wrecked carriages is necessary but also securing the slopes against further snowslides. The Swiss Alps regularly face avalanche threats, which in the past have led to stricter construction regulations for snow galleries. The most tragic avalanche winter in 1951 forced the creation of a modern snow monitoring system across the country. Local police in the canton of Valais are currently conducting a detailed investigation to determine whether the warning systems functioned correctly. Experts point out that heavy snowfall in recent days has significantly raised the risk level in the region. Passengers who were not injured were transported to the nearest stations via replacement transport. The situation at the scene is now under control, and the priority for the services has become restoring the operability of this strategic railway artery connecting the north and south of the Alps. „At the time of the incident, there were 29 people on the train. Five people were injured, including one who required hospitalization.” — Spokesperson for the Valais cantonal police Course of the Alpine Disaster: February 16, 06:12 — Train Departure; February 16, 07:00 — Derailment; February 16, 08:30 — Rescue Operation; February 17, 04:00 — Planned Clearance Liberal-leaning media emphasize the efficient rescue operation and highlight the need for investment in infrastructure protecting against the effects of climate change. | Conservative media focus on passenger safety and question the effectiveness of avalanche threat monitoring systems.