Gotthard Rail Tunnel: World's longest, faces months of closure following freight crash

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Gotthard Base Tunnel, renowned as the world's longest rail tunnel, has been abruptly shut down for passenger services due to a derailment that occurred earlier this month. Swiss authorities are grappling with extensive damage that is projected to necessitate months of intricate repairs.

The Gotthard rail tunnel encountered a severe setback when a freight train derailment transpired on August 10, leading to the derailment of sixteen wagons, which remain stranded within the tunnel. Consequently, the tunnel's closure has been extended indefinitely, and authorities admit they cannot provide a precise timeline for its reopening.

Opened to the public in 2016, the Gotthard rail link was the culmination of two decades of strenuous construction efforts, entailing an expenditure exceeding $12 billion (£8.2 billion). The rail tunnel, spanning an impressive length, stood as a testament to modern engineering prowess and connectivity enhancement.

Vincent Ducrot, Chief Executive of the Swiss national rail operator, SBB, expressed astonishment at the derailment. Ducrot emphasized that the Gotthard tunnel was globally recognized as one of the most secure tunnels, making the incident all the more startling. While fortunately, no human injuries were reported, the material damage has been notable.

The Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB) is spearheading the inquiry into the causes behind the derailment, operating in collaboration with the public prosecutor's office of the Canton of Ticino. The investigation aims to unveil the circumstances that led to this unprecedented