Gotthard Base Tunnel: large-scale exercise
SBB, together with Alptransit Gotthard AG and the incident services of the canton of Uri, carried out a large-scale rescue exercise on Saturday. In the process, 401 people were evacuated from the Gotthard Base Tunnel.
The practice layout was as follows: An intercity tilting train (ICN) with 401 passengers on board came to a standstill between the Faido multifunction station and the south portal during its southbound journey after a malfunction. Because the fire-fighting and rescue train that has been called out is unable to tow away the ICN for technical reasons, the passengers on the train have to wait for an evacuation train. This train enters the opposite tube from the south. After the train arrives, the passengers board the evacuation train via a crossover and are brought back north to Altdorf.
The scenario described could be handled according to plan. The evacuation was carried out without incident, in a safe and orderly manner, and was completed in just over the planned ninety minutes. The detailed evaluation of the rescue exercise will take place in the coming weeks.
Together with the ATG and the rescue services of the cantons of Uri, Ticino and Grisons, SBB carries out a total of two staff exercises and four rescue exercises. The aim of the rescue exercises is to test the alerting plans, evacuation, rescue and incident concepts developed for their suitability in practice. Successful completion of the exercises is a prerequisite for SBB to receive the operating license for the Gotthard Base Tunnel from the Federal Office of Transport.
The fourth and final rescue exercise will take place on March 19, 2016. At that time, around 800 people will be in action.
Press release SBB
