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The train which was taking skiers to ski slopes on Kitzsteinhorn mountain, near Salzburg caught fire as it passed through the tunnel. The incident occurred at about 08:30 (local time) when the train was about 600 metres inside the tunnel. It is thought that the cable pulling the train snapped causing it to stop inside the tunnel. It is not yet known what caused the fire to start. Fresh air, which is drawn into the tunnel from the lower portal of the tunnel fanned the fire and brought smoke up to the upper station overcoming and killing 3 more people. Eight people escaped from the blazing train by smashing windows and walking to safety through the tunnel. The funicular railway was first opened in 1974 to become the first alpine underground railway. It was extensively modernised in 1994. Trains consist of three cars and can carry 180 people.
Funimag Photographs of the Gletscherbahn Kaprun, Austria Look at Train Accident Site
Italy: 4 Die in 'Football Special' fire 24 May 2000
Seven days . . . . . . web focus on rail safety and accidents in the last week |
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 This file last updated: Sunday, 12-Nov-2000 09:51:35 ESTCopyright © David Fry 1999, 2000 |
