In 2023-06-15 at 16:36, a train journey to Stockholm experienced a vehicle failure, causing it to stop in Katrineholm. Magnus, a passenger on board, was stuck in the extreme heat for nearly four hours. Despite the uncomfortable conditions, the staff strictly advised against opening the doors. Initially, the train had already made one stop and encountered delays before completely breaking down in Katrineholm. After waiting for an hour and a half, passengers were told that a replacement train would arrive within 20 minutes. However, the wait exceeded the promised time. Magnus reported that the train was motionless for nearly four hours, with temperatures rising to 40 degrees. Many passengers, particularly the elderly, began to panic due to the lack of ventilation. The situation was exacerbated by power outages, limited water supply, and malfunctioning lights and toilets. Eventually, the passengers took matters into their own hands and forcibly opened the train doors due to a lack of oxygen. SJ, the train company, acknowledges that passengers should not have opened the doors for safety reasons. According to SJ’s press communicator, Martina Nord, it is a strict safety measure to prevent passengers from disembarking along the tracks when the train is not at a platform. At 15:30, a new train arrived to evacuate the passengers. However, Magnus reported that there were no available seats on the new train. SJ assured that the affected passengers would receive a full refund for the inconvenience caused.
Published 2023-06-15 16:36
The train journey to Stockholm stopped in Katrineholm after a vehicle failure.
For almost four hours, Magnus was stuck in the 40-degree heat.
– Everyone was half ready to pass out. The staff said we were absolutely not allowed to open the doors, he says.
The train from Gothenburg to Stockholm first stopped once and caused delays. At the height of Katrineholm, it then broke down completely.
After an hour and a half wait, travelers were promised a replacement train within 20 minutes.
But the wait was longer than that, says passenger Magnus.
– It has been standing still for almost four hours. It is probably 40 degrees on board, many are old and panic is starting to break out, he says.
The situation for the passengers was described as difficult with power outages, running out of water, and broken lights and toilets.
– I feel most sorry for all the old people, says Magnus.
Finally the passengers had enough and broke open the doors of the train.
– It was a lack of oxygen. Someone here had severe asthma. Everyone was half passed out and the staff told us absolutely not to open the doors.
SJ saying the doors should not have been opened.
“The information that the passengers were not allowed to open the doors is correct. It is for strict safety reasons that you cannot risk letting passengers out along the tracks when the train is not on the platform,” writes SJ’s press communicator Martina Nord in an email.
Money back
SJ states that at 15.30 a new train appeared to be able to evacuate the passengers.
– Then they started to switch to the new roof. As soon as we move over all the passages, it will take the travelers towards Stockholm. It will be a couple of hours late and that is obviously unfortunate for the travelers. They will get one hundred percent of the money back, Martina Nord said at 4 p.m.
But the situation on the new train is not optimal either, says Magnus.
– There are no vacant seats on the new train, he says.