Kaprun disaster
The Gletscherbahn Kaprun 2 funicular train waiting at the lower valley station. The train involved caught fire shortly after leaving the valley station and entered the tunnel where it came to a halt. The tunnel entrance is visible in the background. | |
| Date | November 11, 2000 |
|---|---|
| Time | shortly after 9:00 am (CET) |
| Venue | Kitzsteinhorn |
| Location | Kaprun, Austria |
| Coordinates | 47°13′32.26″N 12°43′14.67″E / 47.2256278°N 12.7207417°E |
| Type | Fire |
| Cause | Faulty fan heater |
| Deaths | 155 |
| Charges | Criminal negligence (acquitted) |
On 11 November 2000, a fire in the tunnel of Gletscherbahn Kaprun 2 funicular in Kaprun, Austria, killed 155 people. The cause was traced to a faulty fan heater. Most of the victims were skiers on their way to the Kitzsteinhorn glacier. To date, this incident remains the deadliest rail disaster in Austrian history.