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TRAIN TRAVEL

Train derails in Austria leaving one dead and many injured

One person died and a dozen were injured when a train derailed Monday outside of Vienna, according to rescue services.

Published: 9 May 2022 21:13 CEST
Train derails in Austria leaving one dead and many injured
Illustration photo: (Photo by JOE KLAMAR / AFP)

Rescuers rushed to the accident at Muenchendorf, just south of Vienna, according to Andreas Zenker of the Red Cross of Lower Austria.

“One person died, three have been seriously injured and nine lightly injured,” Zenker told AFP, adding about 100 people were riding the train when the accident occurred in the evening rush hour.

 “Two carriages derailed for yet unknown reasons,” he said, adding that one crashed into an embankment while another tipped over into a field next to the tracks.

“Serious train accident at Muenchendorf,” the emergency services of Lower Austria wrote on Facebook.

“According to initial information, there are numerous injuries, several emergency helicopters and a large contingent of rescue workers are on duty at the moment”

A spokesman for Austrian rail operator OeBB said the train in the accident did not belong to OeBB but to Raaberbahn, a private train company connecting Austria and neighbouring Hungary.

No Raaberbahn representative could immediately be reached by AFP.

Deadly train accidents are rare in the Alpine EU member of nine million people.

In April 2018, 54 people were treated for injuries after two train carriages collided at a station in the Austrian city of Salzburg.

Earlier that year in February, one person died and 22 were injured when two passenger trains collided in central Austria.

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FLOODS

Roads, rail and the Vienna Metro: What’s the state of Austria’s transport services?

Flooding has hit Austria hard, leaving many roadways impassable, metro services partially suspended, and river boats stranded in Vienna. Here's what you need to know on Monday.

Published: 16 September 2024 16:53 CEST
Roads, rail and the Vienna Metro: What's the state of Austria's transport services?

The severe flooding across Austria caused by the relentless rainfall over the weekend and on Monday has wreaked havoc on the nation’s transport systems, leaving commuters and travellers scrambling to adapt. 

The storm’s effects are being felt nationwide, from disrupted metro services in Vienna to closed motorways and suspended rail services.

Vienna metro network hit hard

The capital’s metro system, Wiener Linien, has been particularly affected, with several vital lines running with severe restrictions. Water levels on the Vienna River and Danube Canal have fluctuated, requiring constant flood protection efforts.

READ ALSO: Weather forecast: When will the torrential rain in Austria stop?

As a result, services on the U4, U6, U3, and U2 lines were partially suspended. While the U6 could only operate between Floridsdorf and Westbahnhof and between Meidling and Siebenhirten, the U4 was limited to the section between Heiligenstadt and FriedensbrĂĽcke. Similarly, the U3 was running from Ottakring to Schlachthausgasse, leaving Simmering without service, and the U2 was restricted to running between Seestadt and TaborstraĂźe.

Wiener Linien has indicated that normal operations may not resume until mid-week, as flood protection measures like dam beams and sandbags were still in place. 

Depending on how the rain and water levels develop, additional delays or restrictions are possible. Commuters should check for updates via the WienMobil app or the operator’s website.

Nationwide rail and road chaos

Floods have also affected Austria’s national railway, ÖBB, with delays and cancellations expected to persist until at least Thursday, September 19th. 

The Ă–BB issued travel warnings urging passengers to avoid non-essential journeys, and some major routes were suspended entirely.

READ ALSO: What’s the cause of Austria’s ‘unprecedented’ rainfall and flooding?

On the western rail line between Vienna and Linz, services were halted on Monday and Tuesday due to flooding, leaving WESTbahn passengers unable to travel. Although WESTbahn tickets were temporarily accepted on Ă–BB trains between Vienna and Salzburg, travellers were asked to prepare for disruptions and extended journey times.

The situation on the roads isn’t much better. While some motorway closures have been lifted, others remained, particularly in Lower Austria, where almost 300 roads were currently impassable. Drivers are advised to avoid travel where possible and to check local road conditions before setting off.

You can see a list of all road closures HERE.

Boats and river cruises stranded

The flooding has as would be expected hit travel on Austria’s waterways. In Vienna, a Swiss river cruise ship, the Thurgau Prestige, remained docked, with its passengers unable to disembark due to high water levels. 

Since Saturday, 102 passengers and 40 crew members had been stranded on board. 

Authorities have not yet confirmed when it will be safe for them to leave the ship.

READ ALSO: Floods latest: Two men found dead in their homes in Lower Austria

Pedestrians also impacted

Even walking in some areas of Austria has been made dangerous by the storms. In Vienna, public parks were closed to reduce the risk of falling trees, while footpaths and public spaces were at risk of water damage or further flooding. 

Residents are being urged to stay indoors where possible.

READ NEXT: Do workers in Austria have the right to stay at home amid floods crisis?

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