Train services connecting France and Italy have been brought to a halt until at least Thursday due to a significant rockslide that occurred in the Maurienne valley of the French Alps.
This rockslide has not only caused blockages on some roads but has also led to major disruptions in cross-border train operations.
Authorities in the Savoie region reported that the rockslide took place at 5:15 p.m. (1515 GMT) on Sunday.
Enormous boulders, totaling a volume of 700 cubic meters (25,000 cubic feet), collided with a protective barrier located along the RD 1006 road, a route leading to the Mont-Cenis pass, which connects to Italy’s Susa valley.
Consequently, all train services crossing between Chambery and Turin have been suspended, including the TER regional trains within the Maurienne valley, as confirmed by the French rail operator SNCF.
Furthermore, the Frejus tunnel, which serves as an underground link between France and Italy beneath the Alps, has been temporarily closed to heavy trucks. These truck drivers are being advised to utilize either the Mont Blanc tunnel or the A8 motorway as alternative routes.
On his part, French Transport Minister Clement Beaune said a return to normal services “will require several days”.
“After this massive landslide yesterday in Maurienne, our services are mobilized to restore road and rail service as quickly as possible,” Clement mentioned on social media.
