Train travel between France and Italy has been suspended for “at least several days” due to the aftermath of violent storms that swept through southeastern France earlier this week, French national operator SNCF announced on Tuesday.
The severe weather, which included intense storms on Monday, has necessitated a substantial clean-up operation. During this period, SNCF crews will thoroughly inspect the tracks on the Paris-Milan high-speed line to ascertain if any damage has occurred that could prolong the closure.
The storms caused significant disruption, particularly in the Maurienne Valley around the border station of Modane in France, where mud and debris built up on the tracks, leading to the suspension of traffic from 15:00 GMT on Monday. Floods in Modane resulted in tracks at the station, the last stop before Italy, being covered in mud. While the floods caused damage in the town, no casualties were reported.
This latest disruption comes after the train line connecting Paris with the Italian cities of Turin and Milan had only recently reopened in late March, following a 19-month closure caused by a major landslide that damaged a tunnel in August 2023. Both SNCF and its Italian counterpart, Trenitalia, offer high-speed services on this line, which typically transports passengers from Paris to major cities in northern Italy in approximately six to seven hours.
SNCF is prioritizing the clean-up and track inspection to ensure the safety and integrity of the high-speed rail lines. Passengers planning to travel between France and Italy are advised to seek alternative transportation options and monitor updates from SNCF, as the ongoing inspection efforts could extend the duration of the suspension.
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