Train derailment averted after massive water leak halts rail traffic near Oslo

A ruptured agricultural irrigation pipe sent a 50-metre water plume over high-voltage power lines at Råde station in Østfold on Saturday evening, forcing authorities to halt train traffic between Råde and Ås for nearly 30 minutes, Dagbladet reports.

Emergency services confirmed the leak originated from a high-pressure line operating at 16 bar, used for local farming irrigation. “This was a major water main—we estimate the jet reached about 50 metres into the air,” Ole-Martin Isebakke, watch manager at the Øst 110 emergency centre, told the paper. Crews located a secondary valve along the line and shut off the flow, though the cause of the rupture remains under investigation.

Olav Nordli, duty press officer for state rail operator Bane NOR, stated the incident was logged at approximately 19:00 local time. While some services were disrupted, he could not specify how many passengers were affected. “Train traffic has now resumed,” Nordli said.