Saint-Martin-la-Porte, September 8 – A fire broke out yesterday, September 7th, at approximately 2:00 PM, in an access gallery of the Lyon-Turin base tunnel, located in Saint-Martin-la-Porte, 1,800 meters underground. The Departmental Fire and Rescue Service (SDIS) managed to bring the fire under control by 4:00 PM. One person was slightly injured, and all 79 workers present in the gallery at the time of the incident were safely evacuated.
Rapid Response and Evacuation Procedures
At the time the fire started, 79 employees were working within the gallery. Alert and rescue procedures were deployed in accordance with established safety protocols. The workers were able to reach designated safe areas, ensuring their security while awaiting evacuation.
Approximately fifty firefighters and twenty vehicles were mobilized to the site. Their intervention focused on two simultaneous objectives: controlling and extinguishing the fire, and protecting and evacuating the employees. By 4:00 PM, the fire was deemed under control. By 5:30 PM, all employees had been evacuated. They all underwent examination by SAMU (Emergency Medical Aid Service) teams. No serious injuries were reported, with the exception of one individual who was slightly affected by smoke inhalation.
Ongoing Monitoring and Investigation
The site remains under close surveillance, particularly to ensure the evacuation of smoke present in adjacent galleries and the pumping of water used by the firefighters. At this stage, the origin of the fire remains undetermined. An investigation will be conducted to determine the cause of the blaze.
The mayor of the commune and the sub-prefect of the Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne district visited the site to provide support to the mobilized teams. Vanina Nicoli, Prefect of Savoie, commended the commitment and professionalism of the firefighters, as well as the mobilization and coordination of all services and stakeholders present at the site.
The Lyon-Turin Tunnel Project
The Lyon-Turin base tunnel is a crucial component of the Lyon-Turin high-speed rail link, a major European infrastructure project designed to improve rail connections between France and Italy. The project involves the construction of a 57.5-kilometer (35.7 miles) long railway tunnel through the Alps. The tunnel is intended to significantly reduce travel times and facilitate freight transport, contributing to a more sustainable transportation network in Europe.
Construction of the tunnel is a complex undertaking, involving extensive excavation and adherence to stringent safety regulations due to the challenging geological conditions and the depth of the work. Incidents like the recent fire highlight the inherent risks associated with such large-scale underground construction projects and the importance of robust safety protocols and emergency response plans.
The incident, while quickly contained, underscores the need for continuous vigilance and adherence to safety standards in such a demanding environment. The ongoing investigation will aim to identify the exact cause of the fire and implement any necessary measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future, ensuring the continued safety of the workers and the progress of this vital infrastructure project.
The slight injury sustained by one worker serves as a reminder of the potential hazards, even with well-established safety procedures in place. The successful evacuation of all other personnel demonstrates the effectiveness of the emergency response system and the training of the workers and rescue teams.
The Lyon-Turin tunnel project is a testament to engineering ambition, connecting major European cities and facilitating trade and travel. Ensuring the safety of those involved in its construction remains a paramount concern, and incidents like this provide valuable lessons for future operations.
