Train derails in Switzerland, injuring five amid avalanches in the Alps

On February 17, 2026, a regional train derailed near Goppenstein in southern Switzerland, injuring five people. The accident occurred at an altitude of 1,216 meters amid heavy snow and a level four avalanche warning. Initial findings suggest an avalanche may have crossed the tracks just before the train passed. The public prosecutor's office has opened an investigation into the incident. This event follows several deadly avalanches in the Alps, including one in Val d'Isere, France, that killed three skiers and a record 13 backcountry skiers, climbers, and hikers who died in Italy over the previous week. Unstable snowpack conditions due to fresh snowfall and windswept snow have created dangerous conditions across the Alpine region.

A train derailed near Goppenstein, Switzerland, around 07:00 local time due to a possible avalanche, injuring five people. The incident occurred as the regional commuter train was exiting the Lotschberg rail tunnel on its way from Spiez to Brig. All 29 passengers were rescued, with one person hospitalized. The area is under an avalanche warning, level four out of five, following recent heavy snow and rain in Switzerland. Authorities are investigating the cause of the derailment, with initial findings suggesting an avalanche may have crossed the tracks just before the train passed. The incident follows warnings about high avalanche risk across the Swiss Alps.

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.