German ICE train stalls in tunnel, trapping 400 passengers for six hours
Illustrative photo: Around 400 passengers were trapped in a tunnel (Getty Images)
Around 400 passengers on a German high-speed ICE train were trapped in a tunnel near Vienna due to an emergency stop. They spent over six hours without light or air conditioning, DW informs.
The Deutsche Bahn train was traveling from Austria's capital to the northern German city of Hamburg.
However, less than 15 minutes into the journey, the train stopped inside a tunnel due to a power outage. Austrian media reported that passengers endured hours of heat after the air conditioning shut down.
The lighting was also partially off.
The rescue operation to free the passengers from the tunnel lasted more than six hours. More than 100 rescuers participated in the operation.
Why did the evacuation take so long
The delay was partly caused by passengers entering the tunnel.
According to the railway operator, when passengers transferred to a replacement train inside the tunnel, some chose to walk instead.
For safety reasons, the power in the tunnel had to be cut again. This prevented the replacement train from continuing its route.
Instead, passengers were evacuated from the tunnel through emergency exits. They were then transported back to Vienna by bus.
Two passengers received medical assistance at the scene. No hospitalizations were required.
