Train Derailment in Valais Amid Severe Weather Warnings; Passengers Injured, Travel Disrupted

February 16, 2026
Train Derailment in Valais Amid Severe Weather Warnings; Passengers Injured, Travel Disrupted
  • An evacuation order was issued for several areas in Orsières due to severe weather and forecast heavy rain, with authorities coordinating ongoing safety measures.

  • About 50 residents in Orsières near the French border were evacuated as a precaution against avalanches from heavy snowfall.

  • The Swiss Alps remain under high avalanche risk, with level-four warnings out of five as heavy snow and wind-driven snow continue to raise danger.

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  • The incident comes amid a string of recent regional dangers in Valais, including a bar fire in Crans-MMontana and a significant landslide that affected a village, underscoring ongoing weather-driven crises in the canton.

  • Rail traffic on the Goppenstein–Brig corridor was halted after the derailment, and officials advised travelers to use alternate routes while rescue operations continued.

  • Travel advisories and maps outline alternative bus routes and connections for the affected corridor to help commuters navigate the disruption.

  • Officials stated ongoing intervention efforts and promised further information as the situation developed.

  • A previous extreme avalanche event in the area days earlier had caused road closures but reported no injuries at that time.

  • A RegioExpress train derailed near Goppenstein on the Stockgraben section between Goppenstein and Hohtenn in Valais, around 07:00 local time, with about 30 passengers aboard and several injuries reported as authorities responded.

  • Authorities urged skiers and hikers to stay on marked slopes and check avalanche bulletins before venturing into the mountains, given the heightened risk.

  • The derailment occurred during a RegioExpress service that departed Spiez earlier, with roughly 30 passengers affected.

Summary based on 13 sources


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