Switzerland train derailment LIVE: Several injured as Valais avalanche causes huge crash

3 days ago 7

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A huge emergency operation is now underway.

08:48, Mon, Feb 16, 2026 Updated: 08:48, Mon, Feb 16, 2026

Switzerland train derailment

A train has derailed in Switzerland, with several injuries feared following a huge avalanche (Image: Google )

A train has derailed in Switzerland, with several injuries feared following a huge avalanche. The derailment happened at around 7am local time near Goppenstein in the canton of Valais. An ongoing emergency is underway.

The derailment reportedly involved the RE1 train, which departed from Brig at 6.12am, and is believed to have derailed in the Stockgrabe area between Goppenstein and Hohtenn. There were around 80 passengers on board the train.

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12 mins ago08:48 Lauran O'Toole

Extent of injuries unclear

It is not yet clear how many people have been injured or the severity of their injuries.

However, local media reports indicate that several people have been hurt.

19 mins ago08:41 Lauran O'Toole

Train lines suspended until 4pm

Heavy snowfall is believed to be behind the avalanche, and other train lines have been suspended until at least 4pm, 20 Minuten reports.

30 mins ago08:30 Lauran O'Toole

Alternative routes

Commuters heading to work this morning are being urged to use alternative routes after a train derailment near Goppenstein.

The alternative routes are:

Travellers between Spiez and Brig travel via Visp. Travellers between Hohtenn and Gampel-Steg use the buses of line 592. Travellers between Lalden and Brig use the buses of line 511. Travellers between Eggerberg and Visp use the buses of line 523. Travellers between Lalden and Visp use the buses of line 511. Travellers between Ausserberg and Visp use the buses of line 522. Travellers between Goppenstein and Gampel-Steg use the buses of line 591.

45 mins ago08:15 Lauran O'Toole

Map shows incident area

The following map of the Swiss Alps highlights the approximate area where the incident occurred.

Approximate incident area

Approximate incident area (Image: Google)

51 mins ago08:09 Lauran O'Toole

Train derailed by an avalanche

A spokesperson for Bern–Lötschberg–Simplon BLS, a Swiss railway company, told 20 Minuten that the train was derailed by an avalanche, adding: "The passengers will be evacuated shortly."

60 mins ago08:00 Lauran O'Toole

Map shows incident area

The map below illustrates the route between Goppenstein and Hohtenn, where the incident is thought to have occurred.

Train route between Goppenstein and Hohtenn

Train route between Goppenstein and Hohtenn (Image: Google Maps)

1 hour ago07:52 Lauran O'Toole

Train derailed with around 80 passengers on board

There were around 80 passengers on board the train when it derailed.

The incident is believed to have derailed in the Stockgrabe area between Goppenstein and Hohtenn.

1 hour ago07:48 Lauran O'Toole

Where did the derailment occur?

The derailment happened at around 7am local time near Goppenstein in the canton of Valais.

The emergency services are currently at the scene.

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1 hour ago07:45 Lauran O'Toole

Police confirm train derailment

In a statment the police have confirmed the train derailment with "injuries likely".

The full statement read: "February 16, 2026 - 07:00, Goppenstein, train derailment, likely with injuries, response underway, more information to follow."

16.02.2026 - 07h00, Goppenstein, d\u00e9raillement d'un train, probablement avec bless\u00e9s, intervention en cours, plus d'informations suivront. pic.twitter.com/D6pAkN6sFl

\u2014 Police Valais (@PoliceValais) February 16, 2026

1 hour ago07:41 Lauran O'Toole