Koralm Tunnel Successfully Completes Final Major Emergency Exercise Ahead of December Commissioning

Crucial Safety Drill in Austria's Longest Railway Tunnel

The Koralm Tunnel in Austria, a central element of the new Koralm Railway, has successfully undergone its final major emergency exercise. Conducted on October 4, 2025, the large-scale drill was a critical step in the safety preparations leading up to the tunnel's official commissioning for passenger traffic on December 14, 2025.

The exercise aimed to thoroughly familiarize emergency and rescue personnel with the tunnel's state-of-the-art facilities and to test the coordinated response of various services. More than 150 members from the fire brigade, police, medical services, and Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) teams participated, supported by 50 volunteers who acted as passengers.

Simulated Incident and Response

The scenario involved a simulated train stopping approximately seven kilometers inside the tunnel due to a technical fault, complicated by the presence of smoke and injuries among the 'passengers'. All participants were successfully evacuated under realistic conditions, demonstrating the effectiveness of the established safety protocols and the readiness of the emergency teams.

A key asset in the evacuation was the new ÖBB Servicejet, a specialized rescue train stationed at both ends of the tunnel. This advanced vehicle is capable of towing a double Railjet set, evacuating around 300 people, and carries 40,000 liters of firefighting water, equipped with protective ventilation systems.

The Koralm Tunnel: A Landmark Infrastructure Project

The Koralm Tunnel, approximately 32.9 kilometers long, is Austria's longest railway tunnel and a vital part of the 127-kilometer Koralm Railway. This ambitious project connects the federal states of Styria and Carinthia, linking the cities of Graz and Klagenfurt. Once fully operational, the Koralm Railway will drastically reduce travel time between Graz and Klagenfurt from nearly three hours to just 41 to 45 minutes.

The twin-tube tunnel, designed for speeds of up to 250 km/h, features cross-passages every 500 meters and an emergency station roughly one kilometer long at its midpoint, equipped with staggered platforms and a reinforced refuge room. Safety measures, including the European Train Control System (ETCS), account for approximately 15 percent of the project's total investment, underscoring the commitment to operational safety.

Path to Full Operation

Construction of the Koralm Tunnel began in 2008, with the final breakthrough achieved in 2020. While freight operations on the Koralm Railway are scheduled to commence in October 2025, full passenger services will begin with the timetable change in mid-December 2025. The Koralm Railway is a significant component of the Baltic-Adriatic Corridor, enhancing rail connectivity across Europe.