"Freight Train Derailment Forces Closure of World's Longest Rail Tunnel Until 2024"

The Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world's longest and deepest rail tunnel, will be closed to passenger traffic until 2024 due to a freight train derailment. The Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board believes a broken wheel caused the derailment, which destroyed tracks and scattered goods along the tunnel. Extensive repairs are needed, including replacing 8 kilometers of track and 20,000 concrete sleepers. During the repairs, only one tube will be operational for freight traffic, while passenger trains will take a longer detour.