Vienna U-Bahn Fire Caused by Electrical Fault

Vienna U-Bahn Fire Caused by Electrical Fault

Image: Wiener Linien/Julia Allerding

 

A fire on Vienna’s U1 U-Bahn line last month was caused by a short circuit following an electrical fault, investigators have confirmed.

The incident on 19 November, which left six people with minor injuries, was the result of insulation damage in the wiring leading to the train’s traction motors, according to findings announced by public transport operator Wiener Linien on Tuesday.

The investigation was carried out by an external fire expert in collaboration with the train’s manufacturer.

While no wider fault has been identified, all trains of this type have been thoroughly inspected, and no further issues have been found. Wiener Linien said the affected components will now be checked more frequently during routine maintenance, adding that safety remains “a top priority.”

The train involved, a Silberpfeil model, had been in service for 31 years and had covered 2.5 million kilometres without any major incidents. Silberpfeil trains have been part of Vienna’s transport system for over three decades.

The fire broke out while the train was running as a special service without passengers on board. It came to a halt between the Taubstummengasse and Südtiroler Platz/Hauptbahnhof stations. The driver and five station staff suffered minor smoke inhalation.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze within an hour, but the fire caused severe damage to cables and the track bed. Repairs meant that U1 services between Keplerplatz and Stephansplatz stations were suspended for ten days before resuming normal operations.

Wiener Linien has reassured passengers that the network remains safe, adding that lessons learned from the incident will inform future maintenance.

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