By Micah Jonah
February 17, 2026
At least five people have been injured after a regional train derailed in southern Switzerland amid heightened avalanche warnings across the Alps.
The accident occurred on Monday near the town of Goppenstein at an altitude of about 1,216 metres. Authorities say heavy snowfall and dangerous mountain conditions may have contributed to the incident.
Police disclosed that an avalanche might have crossed the railway tracks shortly before the train approached the area. The region is currently under a level four avalanche warning the second-highest risk category.
“Five people were injured. One of them was taken to hospital,” police confirmed, adding that the public prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation into the cause of the derailment.
The train mishap comes amid a wave of deadly avalanches across the Alpine region in recent days. In France, three skiers were killed last Friday at the upscale resort of Val d’Isere after being swept away by snow.
Italian rescue authorities also reported that 13 skiers, climbers and hikers died within one week, including 10 fatalities linked directly to avalanches triggered by unstable snow conditions.
Rescue officials across France, Switzerland, Austria and Italy have warned that fresh snowfall combined with strong winds has created a fragile snowpack capable of collapsing under minimal pressure.
Experts caution that even a single skier passing through an unstable slope can trigger a deadly avalanche under such conditions.
While authorities continue investigations in Switzerland, weather agencies have advised residents and tourists to exercise extreme caution as heavy snow persists across parts of the Alps.
The latest developments have raised fresh concerns over winter travel safety in Europe’s mountainous regions.
