Genoa, 3 July 2025
Inside the Polcevera Tunnel on the Genova Voltri - Bivio Corvi - Genova Sampierdarena section, a construction vehicle belonging to a contractor of Rete Ferroviaria Italiana, which was carrying out maintenance work on the infrastructure, suddenly billowed smoke, suggesting a fire start.
The driver of the vehicle immediately stopped for checking the vehicle and tried to intervene with the fire extinguisher, but started feeling unwell. One of the other operators on top of the vehicle realised what had happened and the start of the fire, and alerted RFI backup operator, to call the operations room and ask for help.
Meanwhile, all the operators in the vehicle meanwhile, rendered first aid to their colleague.
At the same time, RFI staff disconnected the power line, while the Operations Centre Top Manager called the NUE 112 to request the intervention of the emergency services, and agreed with the Fire Brigade and 118 Operations Centre on how to access the tunnel and the meeting point with RFI staff. Then, he alerted the Railway Police and FS Security.
In the meantime, due to a sudden failure, a regional train in transit stopped inside the Doria Tunnel in the direction of Borzoli and, after about 10/15 minutes, the on-board staff alerts RFI operations room, having also recorded episodes of intemperance by travellers on board, and requests assistance in evacuating the passengers, including a traveller with reduced mobility.
This is the scenario of the emergency drill that took place yesterday afternoon on the new quadrupling project for the Genoa node between Genova Voltri and Sampierdarena, organised by Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (FS Group) with the coordination of the Genoa Prefecture and the participation of the Comando Provinciale dei Vigili del Fuoco of Genova, the Liguria Region's NUE 112, the Health Emergency Service 118, the Compartimento Polfer Liguria, FS Security, Trenitalia, Liguria Region Civil Protection, Genoa City Council and General Contractor led by Webuild.
Particular attention was paid to verifying the effectiveness and speed of activation of emergency management procedures.
The drill falls into FS Italiane Group's Annual Schedule, to monitor the effectiveness of communication flows and coordination system between the different entities involved, as well as getting them to familiarise with the new railway infrastructure, particularly with regard to access and intervention methods and times, for rescue purposes inside the tunnel. It responds to the need to carry out drills inside railway tunnels longer than 1,000 metres, in accordance with the indications contained in Ministerial Decree of 04/03/2025, which also provides for the drafting of a specific Emergency and Rescue Plan (PES) and its testing in a new tunnel before it is opened for commercial operation. The PES and the PEI (Internal Emergency Plan) will come into force at the same time as the Polcevera Tunnel and the new Doria Spinola Raggi and Borzoli evacuation and rescue points come into operation.
All to improve safety standards and the protection of people, property and the environment.
The activities caused no repercussions on train traffic.