At least one person was killed and four others were injured when a passenger train derailed along Norway’s northern coast on Thursday, authorities reported.
The Arctic Circle Express, which was traveling from Trondheim to Bodø, left the tracks in a remote mountainous area, causing chaos among the 55 passengers on board. The accident occurred near the town of Mo i Rana, just north of the Arctic Circle.
Norwegian police said they received the first alert about the derailment at 12:15 GMT. Preliminary investigations suggest that a rockslide was the cause of the incident, with a large boulder colliding with the train and causing it to leave the tracks.
The train, which comprised a locomotive and five carriages, sustained significant damage, with images from the scene showing the locomotive and at least two passenger cars derailed and surrounded by trees.
The train’s abrupt derailment and sudden braking sent passengers flying inside the carriages. “I flew over a guy and broke a table in front of us,” said passenger Sissel Troan, who described the braking as “dramatic.”
Fortunately, Troan emerged from the incident with no serious injuries, although she admitted to feeling “shaky” afterward.
Ingvart Strand Molster, another passenger, told Norwegian broadcaster NRK that although a rock had struck the train, most people in his carriage were unharmed, with only one person suffering a minor ankle injury.
Other passengers recounted the terrifying moments, saying that people were thrown around as the windows shattered upon impact.
The four injured individuals were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Their conditions were not immediately known.
Those who escaped unharmed were transported by bus to Mo i Rana, located approximately 228 kilometers (140 miles) south of Bodø, as emergency services responded to the scene.
Photographs shared by local media showed a massive rock sitting on the tracks beside a severely damaged train carriage. Footage posted by NRK revealed the train lying off its mountainside track, having crashed through trees and landing near a closed road.
The dramatic derailment resulted in significant disruptions in the area, with local authorities sealing off the road and surrounding areas for safety.
Norwegian media, including the VG newspaper and Avisa Nordland, provided coverage from the scene, with reports indicating that passengers were evacuated through the windows of the derailed train.
The incident highlights the challenges posed by Norway’s rugged terrain and the risks associated with rockslides in mountainous areas, particularly near the Arctic Circle.
Authorities have launched a formal investigation into the incident to determine the exact cause of the derailment and whether any preventive measures could have been taken to avoid the disaster.
The Norwegian railway operator is working to clear the wreckage and restore the track for future travel. The Arctic Circle Express is a popular train route known for its scenic views of Norway’s northern wilderness, attracting both locals and tourists.
The tragedy has raised concerns about the safety of train travel in remote areas, prompting calls for enhanced monitoring of potential geological hazards along the railway line.