Large Operation Near Vienna: ICE Stopped in Tunnel

A major operation by emergency services occurred on Saturday just outside Vienna. As confirmed by an ÖBB spokesperson to the APA, at 1:30 PM, an ICE of the Deutsche Bahn, which was on its way to Hamburg, stopped in the Hadersdorf railway tunnel after the Wien-Meidling station due to a technical fault. Since towing was not technically possible, it was initially decided to transfer the approximately 400 passengers to a replacement train in the tunnel.

ICE Stopped Before Vienna: Evacuation Measures Completed

Due to the late hour and to avoid further delays, this plan was abandoned later in the evening. "Currently, in close coordination with the ÖBB, we are bringing people to the surface through emergency exits," a spokesperson for the Vienna professional fire brigade told the APA after 7:00 PM. Shortly before 8:00 PM, the evacuation measures were completed, the ÖBB announced. The evacuees were brought back into the city area from Hadersdorf by buses of the Wiener Linien. There, decisions were to be made regarding their further transportation options.

The fire brigade supported the ÖBB with a total of 20 vehicles and 80 personnel. The Vienna professional rescue service was involved in the operation with a mobile command center, a mobile evacuation bus, four rescue vehicles, and 20 rescue personnel. Two passengers required outpatient care, but there were initially no indications of serious injuries.

According to the ÖBB spokesperson, the affected passengers were initially brought out of the train, which had come to a halt without power, in coordination with and with the support of the emergency services, and redirected to a replacement train that had been provided. However, a few individuals - according to the spokesperson, "a handful" - left this replacement train against explicit instructions, moved away from the train units, and disappeared into the tunnel. This necessitated another emergency power shutdown for safety reasons.

Train Traffic Between Wien-Meidling and Tullnerfeld Suspended

"The tunnel must now be searched for people," explained the ÖBB spokesperson. Inspections would take place from both sides. Until it is ensured that no one is in the tunnel, the route cannot be reopened. Train traffic between Wien-Meidling and Tullnerfeld was suspended shortly after 6:30 PM. When service might resume was not foreseeable. In long-distance traffic, which was temporarily rerouted via Rekawinkel due to the emergency measures, there were delays and disruptions.

The ICE 90 "Donauwalzer" had departed from the main station as scheduled at 1:13 PM. A few minutes after stopping at the Wien-Meidling station, it came to a halt in the tunnel. According to media reports, it was reportedly pitch dark in parts of the defective train, and the failure of the air conditioning system presented a quite stressful situation for some passengers who were stuck for hours with closed doors.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.