Train derails in Switzerland amid fatal avalanches across the Alps

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 4 min read 100% complete by Peter BeaumontFebruary 16, 2026 at 02:15 PM

AI Summary

long article 4 min

Heavy snowfall in the European Alps triggered deadly avalanches over the weekend and into Monday. A train derailed in Switzerland near Goppenstein due to a snow slide, injuring five people. Several skiers were killed in separate avalanche incidents in France and Italy, including two Britons in Val d’Isère and two skiers on the Italian side of Mont Blanc. The avalanches occurred amidst high avalanche risk warnings, with conditions exacerbated by fresh snowfall and unstable snowpacks. Alpine Rescue reported a record 13 off-piste skiers, climbers, and hikers died in the Italian mountains in the week ending February 8th, many due to avalanches. Roads and villages around Mont Blanc were closed or evacuated due to the dangerous conditions.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Courmayeur 40% Val d’Isère 50% Austria 50% Goppenstein 50% Italy ×280% France ×280% Switzerland ×2100%

Keywords

avalanches 100% european alps 90% snowfall 70% train derailment 60% skiers 60% off-piste 50% risk conditions 50% alpine rescue 40% mont blanc 40%

Sentiment Analysis

Very Negative

Score: -0.70

Source Transparency

Source

The Guardian - World News

Political Lean

Center-Left (-0.40)

Far LeftCenterFar Right

Classification Confidence

90%

Geographic Perspective

Switzerland

This article was automatically classified using rule-based analysis. The political bias score ranges from -1 (far left) to +1 (far right).

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avalanches european alps snowfall train derailment skiers off-piste risk conditions alpine rescue mont blanc

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