Home>News Center>World
         
 

Rail traffic resumes in Switzerland after shutdown
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-06-23 09:59

Some trains began operating again on Switzerland's railways following a three-hour power failure that brought the entire network to a grinding halt, Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) said.

Commuters pack a platform waiting for a diesel train in the main train station during a blackout in Zurich, Switzerland, Wednesday, June 22, 2005. Due to a nationwide power failure, the entire SBB CFF train system of Switzerland was shut down, leaving thousands of commuters stranded in trains and stations. (AP
Commuters pack a platform waiting for a diesel train in the main train station during a blackout in Zurich, Switzerland, Wednesday, June 22, 2005. Due to a nationwide power failure, the entire SBB CFF train system of Switzerland was shut down, leaving thousands of commuters stranded in trains and stations. [AP]
"It is working better since 9:15/9:30 pm (1915/1930 GMT)," SBB spokesman Jean-Philippe Schmidt said. "Trains are quietly running again, bit by bit. We will not start them all at the same time because it would risk blowing the system."

The SBB will try "to ensure that everyone can go home tonight," he said, but added that the situation would not return to normal before Thursday morning.

At least 100,000 people were stranded, some for as much as an hour, following the unexplained power failure at 6pm (1600 GMT).



Space shuttle Discovery launch delayed
Blair plans measures to uproot extremism
Pakistan train crash carnage kills 128
 
  Today's Top News     Top World News
 

Taiwan's KMT Party to elect new leader Saturday

 

   
 

'No trouble brewing,' beer industry insists

 

   
 

Critics see security threat in Unocal bid

 

   
 

DPRK: Nuke-free peninsula our goal

 

   
 

Workplace death toll set to soar in China

 

   
 

No foreign controlling stakes in steel firms

 

   
  Judge: Saddam trial could begin next month
   
  DPRK: Nuke-free peninsula our goal
   
  Pakistan train crash carnage kills 128
   
  NASA delays shuttle launch till Saturday
   
  Annan advocates UN Council expansion now
   
  Israel seals off Gaza Strip settlements
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
  News Talk  
  Are the Republicans exploiting the memory of 9/11?  
Advertisement