Two seriously injured in explosion at hydropower plant critical to Swiss rail network

An explosion occurred at the Ritom hydroelectric power plant in the Swiss canton of Ticino, resulting in two people suffering serious injuries. The incident took place at approximately 9:30 a.m. on September 9 in Piotta, Quinto municipality. According to initial reports, part of the plant's structure collapsed due to the explosion, trapping individuals beneath debris.

Emergency services, including cantonal police, firefighters, rescue crews, and a helicopter from Switzerland's air rescue service, were dispatched to the scene. The cantonal police confirmed that the explosion was caused by a "serious workplace accident" affecting the plant's structure. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the explosion and the circumstances surrounding it.

The Ritom hydroelectric plant, which has been operational since 1917, is strategically important as it supplies electricity to Switzerland's railways, specifically the Gotthard line, a crucial transport corridor across the Alps. The 44-megawatt plant generates around 155 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually. A new Ritom hydroelectric plant is being constructed nearby with a total generating capacity of 120 megawatts, which will supply power to the railways through a 60-megawatt turbine and the canton of Ticino's electricity grid via another 60-megawatt turbine.

The new plant is set to commence commercial operations in 2027. Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) considers the new plant to be strategically important due to the increasing passenger and freight traffic through the Gotthard and Ceneri Base Tunnels. The facility also aims to provide electricity during emergencies and plays a vital role in evacuation procedures for the tunnels.

Ritom SA, the company responsible for constructing the new plant, is majority-owned by SBB (75%) and the canton of Ticino (25%). The exact location of the damaged part of the hydropower complex and whether the incident impacted the new plant under construction have not been disclosed by the authorities.