Pick-up fire on the Tauern tunnel: traffic paralyzed and no injuries!

Pick-up fire on the Tauern tunnel: traffic paralyzed and no injuries!

On May 30, 2025, a vehicle fire occurred on the Tauern tunnel on the A10 in Salzburg, which resulted in the closure of the tunnel. A pick-up rose in flames 50 meters in front of the north portal. The driver was able to get himself and his trailer to safety in good time and remained unharmed while the vehicle burned down completely. The fire brigade was alerted at 10.25 a.m. and moved out with a total of 46 emergency services from the Flachau and Zederhaus fire brigades, which were able to quickly extinguish the fire.

The tunnel warte blocked the Tauern tunnel in both directions for security reasons. Immediately after the outbreak of the fire, a kilometer -long backlog formed. At around 11.30 a.m., the tunnel tube in the direction of Salzburg could be opened again for traffic. Despite the dramatic incident, there were no injuries, and the exact cause of the fire and the number of inmates in the vehicle are previously unknown. The incident is reminiscent of the tragedies of the past that influenced the course of the safety precautions in tunnels.

Review of previous tunnel disaster

The Tauern tunnel has a difficult past that is documented in Austrian traffic history. On May 29, 1999, one of the worst tunnel disaster occurred there, in which 12 people were killed and 42 others were injured. A truck driver who was tired had not noticed a column-like accumulation of vehicles and crashed into the standing cars at full speed. The accident is still considered one of the most devastating in Austria.

25 years after this tragic event is still reminded of the importance of security measures. Experts and authorities are continuously working to increase the security standards in tunnels. Current security measures correspond to the European tunnel guidelines and exceed many minimum requirements. According to the Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport, the security requirements were checked and adapted after the fire accidents in alpine tunnels.

modern security measures

Security in street tunnels has improved significantly since then. There was a collaboration with national and international experts to optimize the self -rescue of the tunnel users in the event of a fire. The correct behavior of the users is crucial for both regular operation and in emergencies. Therefore, the ministry has published an information sheet with the title "Certainly through #additional attention in the tunnel", which provides information about safety devices in tunnels and gives tips for behavior in an emergency.

The latest developments, such as the fire in the Tauern tunnel, show that special caution is still required despite all improvements. In order to ensure traffic safety, existing tunnels are constantly adapted to the new regulations, whereby continuous safety improvements are being implemented as part of maintenance measures.

For detailed information about the security precautions in tunnels and the rules of conduct in an emergency, readers are referred to the Federal Ministry. Further information is also available on the platforms of Dolomitenstadt, Krone and the Ministry.

For more details you can report the reports of Dolomitenstadt href = "https://www.krone.at/3394524"> krone and BMV view.