Trainsurfers force three-hour closure of Koralm railway

The affected train, which was heading towards Graz, initially departed but then stopped at an emergency halt point inside the Koralm Tunnel. By the time police arrived, the train had stopped, but there was no trace of the so-called trainsurfers. Officers immediately launched a search.

Since it could not be ruled out that another trainsurfer might be inside the Koralm Tunnel, further reconnaissance runs were carried out by ÖBB between the stations of St. Paul im Lavanttal and Weststeiermark. During the ÖBB reconnaissance runs, two individuals were apprehended and taken back towards Carinthia.

Escape at St. Paul im Lavanttal station

However, before a patrol arrived, they managed to escape and thus evaded police at St. Paul im Lavanttal station. Neither a third youth nor the two fleeing boys have been identified so far. Their identity therefore remains unclear. Despite the search, police were unable to catch any of the youths.

The incident had significant consequences for regular rail traffic: train services were suspended for a good three hours in total. Numerous travellers on the new, heavily used connection between Carinthia and Styria had to switch to alternative services or endure long waiting times.

Impact on rail traffic

Around 10 pm, the line was then reopened. ÖBB gradually resumed operations on the Koralm line after the reconnaissance runs had been completed without further incidents.

The Koralm Tunnel, through which the Intercity was supposed to travel, had only been opened to passenger traffic in December and is considered one of the most important new infrastructure projects in southern Austria. The incident raises questions about security on the new high-speed route.

Investigations and security concerns

Police announced that they would continue the investigation. Tips from the public, particularly from travellers who were in the Kühnsdorf area or inside the Koralm Tunnel on the evening of the incident, are expected to help clarify the identity of the youths. ÖBB is also reviewing what additional security measures are needed on the Koralm line.

The Carinthian State Police Directorate once again warns in this context of the life-threatening risks of so-called trainsurfing. Riding on the roof of a train is not only a criminal offence, but in many cases ends fatally. Just last year, there had been several serious accidents involving trainsurfers in Austria.

The incidents in the Koralm Tunnel illustrate how quickly a single group of young people can paralyse the entire rail traffic on one of the country's most important new lines. The railway and police face the challenge of detecting and stopping such actions early in the future.