Train derailment in Hemnes leaves one dead and four injured

On October 24, a train derailed on the Nordlandsbanen after hitting a landslide in Hemnes. The driver, a man in his 60s, tragically lost his life, and four passengers sustained injuries. At the time of the incident, there were 46 passengers on board.

A wreath was laid at the accident site in Finneidfjord. In the days following the accident, concerns arose regarding the stability of the rock formations above the derailed train. Bane Nor, the railway infrastructure manager, determined that a several-ton heavy rock block needed to be removed for safety. Subsequently, the area was secured and large cranes were set up to lift the locomotive and two carriages.

Recovery efforts have been described as complicated and demanding. Jan Olav Waag, a safety advisor at Bane Nor, reported that the locomotive has been turned and emptied of diesel. Specialized vehicles with heavy-duty trailers are on site to transport the locomotive away. The train consisted of five passenger cars in addition to the locomotive, with the front cars and the locomotive having derailed down a slope. Those cars were removed over the weekend.

As for the reopening of the Nordlandsbanen, the passenger train was left precariously close to the road, leading to the temporary closure of the E6 highway near Bjerka, which has since reopened. However, it remains uncertain when the Nordlandsbanen can resume operations. Waag indicated that substantial work lies ahead. Before re-opening, securing the earth and rock formations on the hillside will take priority, along with ensuring the safety of the E6. The police are currently investigating the incident, which appears to have been caused by the landslide, with the accident commission involved in the inquiry.