Rail traffic Large-scale exercise in the Lötschberg tunnel is a success
BLS practiced an emergency drill in the Lötschberg Base Tunnel with around 1000 participants. In particular, the evacuation times were practiced under the most realistic conditions possible. They succeeded: the rescuers managed to get 450 passengers out of the tunnel.
22.11.2025, 18:45
SDA
In the exercise scenario, an Intercity double-decker train caught fire due to a deflagration in the galley. The train also came to a standstill in the tunnel due to a technical defect, as reported by BLS on Saturday.
The fire spread to the entire bistro carriage and the fleeing passengers damaged the connecting doors to both neighboring carriages, allowing the smoke to reach them as well.
After passengers had opened doors with the emergency opening, they left the tunnel in a northerly and southerly direction. Smoke also spread in the tunnel. People sustained various injuries during the escape.
In addition, some passengers were unable to leave the train themselves. Because the doors were open, the train could not be moved any further. The evacuation and rescue operation therefore took place in the tunnel.
The rescue services and BLS were satisfied with the exercise in the evening. "There were no fundamental problems," the exercise management was quoted as saying in a press release. The cooperation of the entire rescue chain worked well and the evacuation times were adhered to.
Major exercise every ten years
BLS, SBB, police, fire department, rescue service, care teams and civil defense as well as evacuation buses and Samaritans took part in the exercise. Around 1000 people were involved, 450 as emergency personnel and 450 as passengers. Of these, 85 mimed injured passengers.
According to BLS, the exercise is part of the requirements of the cantons of Bern and Valais and a prerequisite for the operating license from the Federal Office of Transport. The last major rescue exercise took place in 2013 with around 1600 people. Large-scale exercises take place approximately every ten years.
Every day, 110 trains pass through the 34.6-kilometre tunnel, of which around 50 are passenger trains with 13,000 to 16,000 passengers. The maximum speed in the tunnel, which went into operation in 2007, is 250 kilometers per hour.
