17 August 2023Article
World’s longest rail tunnel closure

A freight train derailed inside Gotthard tunnel in Switzerland last Thursday, causing considerable damage to the rails, and resulting in closure of the tunnel until the end of 2023.

A freight train derailed inside Gotthard tunnel in Switzerland last Thursday, causing considerable damage to the rails. Nobody was hurt in the incident but the 16 cars that derailed are still stuck in the tunnel.

The 35-mile (57km) long Gotthard tunnel, which opened in 2016, is the world’s longest rail tunnel. It will now be closed until the end of 2023 for five miles (8km) of tracks to be repaired. The tunnel cuts through the Alps and provides a high-speed link between northern and southern Europe.

Domestic and international travellers will have to reroute, adding 1-2 hours of travel time to their journeys. As well as transporting passengers, Gotthard is a key passage for cargo, particularly between Germany and Italy.

As a result of the tunnel closure, pricing and timings for European road movements on certain routes may be impacted.

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