Train Breakdown Near Florence

A train en route to Milan broke down in a tunnel close to Florence on July 17. Several hundred passengers were left without air conditioning or light for three hours. The Frecciarossa in question was Salerno-Milano 9514; departing from Florence at 10:05 am, it got no further than just past Castello.

Passengers took the initiative to open the doors and step out of the train to breathe some fresh air. The conditions became so unbearable that a woman fainted, and once back in Florence, had to to be taken by ambulance to a local hospital.

A rescue convey was sent from Bologna to tow the train back to the Santa Maria Novella station, with the passengers on board. They were then transferred onto another high speed train to continue their journey while the defective one was being repaired.  To see a photo gallery and to read more in Italian, visit Florence’s La Repubblica news site.   (jennifer klammer)