Genoa, 15 May 2025
A construction site operating vehicle engaged in maintenance activities on the line inside the Turchino tunnel, between Mele and Campo Ligure, on the Genoa-Ovada line went off track, injuring a maintenance technician on board.
One of the colleagues on board, after providing first aid, realised the seriousness of the accident and immediately alerted the emergency services by making an emergency call to report that the vehicle had broken down and that the maintenance technician was in need of medical assistance. RFI's Traffic Controller informed RFI's Central Movement Coordinator (DCCM), who activated the internal Emergency Plan by requesting, through emergency number 112, the intervention of the public emergency services, and alerting the Railway Police and FS Security (FS Group) by telephone.
As foreseen in the tunnel's Emergency and Rescue Plan, he agreed with the Fire Brigade Operations Room and the 118 Operations Room, how to access the tunnel and the meeting point with RFI personnel, near the sidings of Campo Ligure station.
This was the scenario of the Emergency drill that took place tonight on the Genoa-Ovada railway line, organised by Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (FS Group) with the coordination of the Prefecture of Genoa and the participation of the Liguria Railway Police Department, FS Security, emergency number 112, 118 Liguria Operations Room, Genoa Provincial Fire Brigade and the Municipality of Campo Ligure.
Particular attention was paid to verifying the effectiveness and speed of activation of emergency management procedures.
This drill is part of FS Italiane Group's Annual Drills Plan to monitor the effectiveness of the communication flow and the coordination system between the different Bodies, as well as the familiarisation with the railway infrastructure, in particular with regard to the methods and timing of access and intervention for rescue purposes inside the tunnel. All to improve safety standards and the protection of people, property and the environment.
The common objective was to test the emergency and rescue plan in force issued by the Prefecture of Genoa on 05/02/2025, and to field-test the technical intervention and assistance system envisaged by the memoranda of understanding drawn up between the FS Group, emergency number 112, the Health Emergency Service and the Regional Civil Defence Service. The drill also tested the use of the bimodal vehicle that RFI handed over to the Provincial Fire Brigade Command for tunnel rescue.
The activities caused no repercussions on train traffic.