Passenger train derails after being struck by avalanche in Switzerland

A massive avalanche has crashed into a passenger train in Switzerland, with cops fearing several are injured.

The train, carrying 80 passengers, departed from Brig around 6.12am before derailing after an avalanche struck near the village of Goppenstein, in Valais, Switzerland.

Police said a response is underway, writing: ‘Train derailment, likely with injuries, response underway, more information to follow.’

Swiss Railway Company Bern-Lotschberg-Simplon said: ‘The train derailed due to an avalanche that came down in the Stockgraben area. The passengers will be evacuated shortly.’

Cops confirmed that a rescue mission is underway, writing: “Train derailment, likely with injuries, response underway, more information to follow.”

Heavy snowfall is believed to have caused the avalanche, and other train lines have been suspended until at least 4pm, 20 Minuten reported.

The train was en route to the southern city of Brig when it was struck at around 7am local time.

It is unclear how many people were injured, but local cops say that casualties are “likely”.

It comes just days after another avalanche temporarily cut the valley area off from the outside world.

The Federal Roads Office (ASTRA) described it at the time as an “extreme e