Tunnel Collapse Disrupts Transportation for ICE Passengers in Austria
On Saturday afternoon, passengers aboard the ICE 90 "Donauwalzer" bound for Hamburg were forced to exit the train via emergency exits due to a malfunction. The train, operated by Deutsche Bahn, experienced a pantograph issue, causing it to break down in a tunnel near Hadersdorf, west of Vienna.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the incident. Passengers had to wait hours in the tunnel before being led out via emergency exits. To accommodate those who needed to overnight due to the incident, ÖBB, the Austrian Federal Railways, provided hotel vouchers.
The train was initially towed to Vienna, but operations on the Hamburg-Vienna route have since returned to normal, with a Vienna-Hamburg train also resuming service. Deutsche Bahn is currently investigating the cause of the breakdown, with further details expected to be released later in the week.
In response to the incident, ÖBB spokesman Klaus Baumgartner announced a goodwill gesture. Passengers of the ICE 90 "Donauwalzer" can expect a full refund of their train ticket costs, as opposed to the 50 percent refund they would be entitled to under passenger rights.
Approximately 400 passengers are affected by this incident. The train was transporting passengers from Vienna to St. Pölten and further on to Vienna, before the malfunction occurred. After exiting the tunnel, passengers were transported to Vienna and St. Pölten by buses and regional trains.
The tunnel where the incident occurred is located under a residential area, causing concern among locals. However, ÖBB has assured that the safety of passengers was their top priority during the rescue operation.
The ICE train was not operational following the inspection and will be taken to Germany in the coming days. The railway company ÖBB operates the track along which the Deutsche Bahn ICE broke down.
Klaus Baumgartner provided updates on the situation, emphasising ÖBB's commitment to ensuring the comfort and safety of their passengers. The Hamburg-Vienna route refers to a train route connecting Hamburg, Germany, and Vienna, Austria.
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