A significant emergency operation unfolded on the Bergensbanen railway line on Tuesday afternoon, April 7, 2026, after a fire broke out on a train traveling from Bergen to Oslo. The incident, which occurred near Bromma in the municipality of Nesbyen, forced the emergency evacuation of approximately 220 passengers.
The train came to a halt at the old Bromma station in Buskerud county as open flames were reported on board shortly before 5:00 PM. Emergency services responded quickly to the scene, and police later confirmed that the blaze was brought under control by 6:00 PM, affecting both the train carriages and the surrounding terrain.
Despite the severity of the fire, which saw three of the rear carriages engulfed in flames, police operations leader Eskil Hagen Olsen confirmed in the police log that there were no reported personal injuries. The incident has caused major disruptions to rail traffic, with the line completely closed between Nesbyen and Flå.
Evacuation and Emergency Response at Bromma
The evacuation process involved a coordinated effort to move passengers away from the danger zone. According to police reports, roughly 30 passengers were located in the three carriages where the fire was most intense. These rear carriages were subsequently decoupled from the rest of the train. The remaining passengers were evacuated from the forward carriages, which had been driven away from the burning section to ensure safety .
Passenger experiences highlighted the sudden onset of the crisis. Svein Mossige, who was on board the train, described a scene where heavy smoke forced passengers to move toward the front of the train to escape. Mossige noted that some luggage was left behind in the evacuated carriages, though he remarked that the warm outdoor temperature provided some relief for those waiting outside.
To assist the hundreds of displaced travelers, five buses were dispatched from Geilo to serve as temporary shelters and holding areas for the evacuees.
Infrastructure Damage and Service Disruptions
The fire has had a direct impact on the railway’s technical capabilities. Siv Egger Westin, a press officer for the transport operator Vy, stated that the Bergensbanen line is entirely shut down between Nesbyen and Flå. She indicated that the fire caused damage to the power supply system and other critical infrastructure along the line .
The cause of the fire remains unknown. Vy officials have stated that it is currently too early to determine what triggered the blaze in the carriage. Investigation teams are expected to analyze the damaged rolling stock and the electrical infrastructure to identify the source of the ignition.
Impact on Travelers
Among those affected were Judith Vestrheim, Monica Finden, and Cristina Sandor, who were traveling to a seminar in Sandefjord organized by the Directorate for Cultural Heritage (Riksantikvaren) when the fire broke out. The three women were seated a few carriages away from the origin of the fire .
Summary of the Bergensbanen Incident
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Old Bromma station, Nesbyen, Buskerud |
| Route | Bergen to Oslo |
| Passengers Evacuated | Approximately 220 |
| Casualties | None reported |
| Line Status | Closed between Nesbyen and Flå |
| Damage | Three carriages and power infrastructure |
The next confirmed step in the process is the technical assessment of the power infrastructure by Vy and rail authorities to determine when the line between Nesbyen and Flå can safely reopen. Official updates regarding the cause of the fire are expected following the forensic examination of the decoupled carriages.
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