Smoke outbreak in the Brenner base tunnel: 50 workers brought to safety!
Smoke outbreak in the Brenner base tunnel: 50 workers brought to safety!
Brennerbasistunnel, Österreich - On Friday morning, May 2, 2025, there was a worrying incident in the Brenner Base Tunnel (BBT). The "Olga" tunnel boring machine generated Rauch, which led to the immediate evacuation of 50 workers. The work in the tunnel was immediately paused to ensure the safety of the employees. Surprisingly, there were no injuries, but the cause of the smoke development is currently being examined and could initially be found on a hydraulic unit. This incident throws a light on the existing safety concerns in tunnel operation.
The incident is reminiscent of a series of tragic accidents that have been held in the burner base tunnel in the past few weeks. At the end of March, a worker was overwhelmed by a heavy vehicle and died tragically. In addition, there were other accidents in the days before that seriously injured one man on the head and another by a falling stone. The events show that there is a need for action to increase security in the tunnel operation.
safety analyzes and methodology
Against the background of such incidents, the question of security in street tunnels is of enormous importance. A security assessment is based on stipulations from 2009 that no longer correspond to the current state of the art. According to the Federal Institute for Roads (BAST), scientific and practical findings of recent years have been a basis for adapting the existing methods. The bast commissioned ILF Consulting Engineers Austria GmbH to develop new suggestions to increase security in street tunnels.An important part of this investigation is to identify relevant influencing factors based on current statistical data and accident indicators. The previous input parameters and assumptions of the methodology are questioned and must be adapted to the circumstances of today. These include, among other things, the consideration of disregarded parameters such as speed influences and differentiated fire development rates.
The need for changes
The test results show that a prompt implementation of these new knowledge is sought in the regulations. Some parameters are updated and redefined to create a reference tunnel. In addition, the focus is on detailed fire curves and realistic images of rescue processes. The need to take all relevant parameters into account in future risk analytical procedures is obviously, especially according to the recent incidents in the burner base tunnel.
Further information about the security situation in the Brenner Base Tunnel and the associated challenges can also be found on ORF TIROL , where the consequences of the incidents and the reactions of the specialists are highlighted. The situation is a clear sign that security in tunnels needs more attention and prevention to prevent further tragic accidents.
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| Ort | Brennerbasistunnel, Österreich |
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