Two Swiss trains derail in strong winds, several injured
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.
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.
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