Dozens injured as Switzerland’s popular Glacier Express tourist train derails in the Alps

Swiss Glacier Express train derails, dozens hurt

GENEVA — Authorities say a popular Alpine tourist train has derailed in southern Switzerland, injuring dozens of people.

The accident occurred Friday afternoon on the Glacier Express train that travels through the spectacular scenery of the Swiss Alps between the towns of Zermatt and St. Moritz.

Police said there were some serious injuries and that most of passengers were likely tourists. The Swissinfo Web site reported that most of the injured were Japanese. Rescue workers were seen loading some of the injured onto medical helicopters to be flown out for treatment.

Valais authorities said two of the train cars drove off the tracks and a third tipped over.

The cause of the accident wasn’t immediately known.