Spartanburg Herald Journal Obituaries: Remembering the Victims of the Deadly Gletscherbahn Kaprun Funicular Disaster

On November 11, 2000, a devastating fire broke out in the tunnel of the Gletscherbahn Kaprun 2 funicular railway in Kaprun, Austria, resulting in one of the deadliest rail disasters in Austrian history. The tragedy claimed the lives of 155 people, most of whom were skiers on their way to the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier.

The disaster occurred when a faulty fan heater sparked a fire in the train as it entered the tunnel. Despite efforts by passengers and crew to put out the flames, the fire spread quickly, trapping many inside. Twelve people managed to escape through a broken window with the help of an escapee who had been a volunteer firefighter, but most were unable to flee.

The train, which was modernized in 1993, was designed to carry 180 passengers and one conductor at a time. The conductor attempted to open the hydraulically operated doors, but they did not function properly due to the fire's damage. The train eventually came to a halt about 600 meters into the tunnel.

An investigation later revealed that the cause of the disaster was the faulty fan heater, which had been installed in the train just months earlier. The incident served as a stark reminder of the importance of safety protocols and maintenance in high-risk industries such as transportation.

The Gletscherbahn Kaprun 2 funicular railway was opened in 1974 and was a popular mode of transportation for skiers heading to the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier. The tragedy of that day will always be remembered, not only by those who lost their lives but also by the families and loved ones affected by this devastating event.

Spartanburg herald journal obituaries