Shock for workers

Tauern Tunnel: Parts of the vault collapsed

The vault collapsed near the north portal of the Tauern Tunnel.(Bild: ÖBB/Swietelsky)

The ÖBB Tauern Tunnel from Salzburg to Carinthia has been under renovation for several weeks. An incident occurred on Sunday afternoon. Parts of the vault collapsed for reasons as yet unknown. The workers were only able to escape via the Carinthian side.

On Sunday, 13 construction workers in the ÖBB Tauern Tunnel between Bad Gastein and Mallnitz had to digest a shock. In the afternoon, part of the vault at the Salzburg north portal collapsed over a length of 15 meters. According to media reports, the workers left the danger zone via the Carinthian side at the first sign of danger. They remained unharmed. 

"Coordination with the construction companies and planners to repair the damage is already underway. According to precise measurements, around seven meters of the tunnel vault in the area of the portal in Böckstein are affected, which gave way yesterday. The restoration work will begin as soon as possible," says ÖBB spokesman Robert Mosser about the incident.

The collapse occurred above the north portal.(Bild: ÖBB/Swietelsky)

The effects of the collapse on the restoration work are not yet entirely clear, but ÖBB is hoping for only a short delay. According to an initial estimate, the damage could be repaired within a week. "Every effort is being made to meet the planned reopening date in July," explains Mosser. 

"The most important thing is that no one has been injured. Half the mountain came down," emphasizes the mayor of Mallnitz, Günther Novak (SPÖ). "The lock is of course important for our summer and cycle tourism, but a week's delay doesn't matter."

As reported, the 115-year-old ÖBB Tauern Tunnel is currently being renovated. The reopening is planned for July.