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TRAIN TRAVEL

Disruption to rail travel in Switzerland after goods train derails

Passengers travelling by train in Switzerland may face delays and cancellations on Thursday after a goods train derailed in the Gotthard tunnel.

Published: 10 August 2023 16:17 CEST
A train station in Switzerland.
A train station in Switzerland. Travellers could see delays on the network. Photo by Yann Lerjen on Unsplash

Swiss rail operator SBB said rail traffic between Arth-Goldau and Bellinzona is subject to restrictions due to a train coming off the tracks in the Gotthard tunnel. 

The train reportedly derailed at around noon on Thursday. According to SBB, no injuries have been reported. 

The rail operator said passengers should expect disruption until around 11.30pm on Thursday, adding that the services EC, IC2, IC21 are affected.

“Delays, cancellations and diversions are to be expected,” said SBB in an information notice. 

Passenger Intercity and Eurocity trains between German-speaking areas of Switzerland and Ticino as well as northern Italy will be diverted via the Gotthard panorama route until further notice, SBB said. This will increase travel times by about an hour.

“Some trains will also be cancelled,” added SBB.

According to an SBB media spokesperson, the freight train, which was heading north at the time, derailed at the multifunction station in Faido in the Gotthard Base Tunnel.

The cause of the derailment in the tunnel is unknown at this stage, as is the exact extent of the damage.

The Swiss Safety Investigation Authority (SUST) has been called in, while SBB experts are currently investigating the damage.

Experts are also checking the track and overhead line for possible damage.

Passengers are urged to check the SBB site for updates. 

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TRAVEL NEWS

Switzerland to strengthen border controls from June 1st

Due to the increased threat of terrorism during the European Football Championship in Germany and the Summer Olympics in France, Switzerland is ‘temporarily increasing’ controls at its borders.

Published: 31 May 2024 13:52 CEST
Switzerland to strengthen border controls from June 1st

Terrorist organisation “Islamic State” (ISIS) called for attacks against these sporting events. 

“Even if Switzerland is not as directly exposed as its two neighbours, public events organised on a Swiss soil in relation to these competitions, could also be at risk of attacks,” the Federal Council said in a press release on Friday.

“In addition, the conference for peace in Ukraine, which is taking place in Bürgenstock at the same time, is also a visible event”.

Faced with these threats, the government has decided to strengthen controls at Swiss borders from June 1st until  the end of the Paralympic Games, on September 8th, 2024.

“It is implementing controls on the borders with Switzerland in order to combat the terrorism, based on a risk analysis. Inspections of goods and persons carried out by the Federal Customs and Border Security Office (OFDF) will be intensified at frontier crossing points and in border areas,” according to the press release.

What exactly does this mean?

Usually, people arriving to Switzerland from the Schengen area by car, train, or plane, can enter the country without any checks.

But for next three and a half months, you will see more border guards and may be asked to present your passport or identity card.

However, these interceptions will not be systematic, but random.

“The Federal Council estimates that these measures will help strengthen security and, in turn, prevent a terrorist attack,” the government added.

There have not been any controls at Swiss borders since the end of the Covid pandemic.
 

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