Two Swiss trains derail in strong winds, several injured
The accidents occurred in strong winds, with several people injured.
Keystone
Two regional trains derailed almost simultaneously at separate locations in canton Bern late on Friday afternoon in stormy winds, leaving 15 people injured, one seriously, according to cantonal police.
This content was published on
1 minute
Keystone-SDA/jc
A train belonging to the RBS company derailed shortly before 5pm near the station of Büren zum Hof. Of the 54 people on board, 12 were injured, one man seriously, police said. The RBS company said the accident was probably caused by gusts of wind. A part of the train overturned and other trains on the section had to be stopped. Rescue workers were on the spot in the early evening.
At almost the same time, a train operated by the Aare Seeland mobil company derailed at Lüscherz, on the southern shore of Lake Biel. Of the 16 people on board, three picked up light injuries, including the driver. The rear part of the train derailed, and the carriages involved fell on their sides. The fire brigade and an ambulance were called in.
The circumstances of the derailment were not initially specified by police. However, the Swiss Federal Railways website said the section of track concerned had to be closed due to bad weather.
Stormy winds swept several regions north of the Alps on Friday, with gusts of up to 122km/h. This was accompanied by thunder and lightning caused by Storm Mathis, a low-pressure system that originated in the British Isles. Trees have also fallen on some motorway sections.
Popular Stories
More
Demographics
Flat-hunting in Switzerland’s cheapest and most expensive municipalities
Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?
Eurostar is planning to run direct trains from Britain to Germany and Switzerland from the early 2030s. Would you favour the train over the plane? If not, why not?
Ex-employee of Bank Pictet convicted of money laundering
This content was published on
The Geneva-based bank Pictet has been fined CHF2 million for shortcomings in its organisation which enabled a former asset manager to commit serious money laundering.
20 Minuten: last Swiss free daily to stop being printed
This content was published on
From the end of the year, there will no longer be a daily free newspaper in Switzerland: the TX Group is discontinuing the print version of "20 Minuten". Up to 80 full-time positions are to be cut in the editorial and publishing departments.
This content was published on
The Swiss population is in favour of compulsory military service and closer ties with NATO. These are the findings of the "Security 2025" study.
Irregular migration to Switzerland halves year-on-year
This content was published on
Irregular migration to Switzerland has decreased significantly. The figures from January to May show that only half as many illegal stays were recorded compared to the same period last year.
This content was published on
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is to cut around 3,500 jobs as a result of financial cuts linked in particular to US decisions. Hundreds of temporary contracts will also be cut, the UN agency said in Geneva on Monday.
Swiss government to help cantons expel rejected asylum-seekers
This content was published on
The federal government is to provide greater relief and support to the cantons when it comes to deporting people who are not entitled to asylum in Switzerland.
This content was published on
One in four people in Switzerland feels stressed often or almost always. Among the under-30s, the figure is as high as 40%.
This content was published on
The permafrost in the Swiss Alps is thawing faster and faster. The thawed top layers of permafrost have never been as thick as they were last year. This is shown by the latest data from the Swiss permafrost monitoring network Permos.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Swiss railways are becoming safer, new figures show
This content was published on
There has been a fall in the number of accidents and fatalities on the Swiss railways, according to new national figures.
Lack of grease blamed for two Swiss train derailments in 2017
This content was published on
An investigation into the derailment of trains in Lucerne and Basel in 2017 states lack of grease on switchers and rails partly to blame.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.