An explosion on a train traveling from Uitgeest to Alkmaar injured one passenger and caused significant disruption on Tuesday evening. The incident occurred around 8:18 PM when an electrical cabinet exploded on the train’s balcony, the area where passengers board and disembark.
The train, which was carrying approximately 650 passengers, was immediately brought to a halt. The explosion propelled a panel or door from the electrical cabinet, striking a passenger in the head, resulting in their hospitalization. Three other passengers reportedly fainted due to smoke inhalation following the incident.
Initial investigations suggest the cause of the explosion was a ‘defect in the train’. The failure of the electrical cabinet also led to a loss of power in the carriages, disabling the air conditioning and ventilation systems.
With the warm weather conditions, the temperature inside the train rose rapidly, creating discomfort for the passengers. Emergency services were alerted to the situation by passengers signaling from within the train. Eventually, the train doors were opened to allow fresh air to circulate.
Within an hour, an evacuation train arrived to transport the passengers to Alkmaar station. According to the safety region, there is no indication of malicious intent, and the incident is attributed to a defect in the train.
The affected train was a double-decker VIRM model, one of the most common trains in the Netherlands. These trains, built between 1994 and 2009, are currently undergoing a major refurbishment program.
An NS spokesperson explained that the electrical cabinet contained a ‘down chopper module,’ which converts the high voltage from the overhead line to the appropriate voltage for the climate control system and relay controls, which are critical for railway safety. The train in question had been modernized between 2014 and 2017.
The railway company has launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the explosion. The Inspectorate for Living Environment and Transport (ILT), the supervisory authority, is also monitoring the situation and may conduct its own investigation.
The NS spokesperson emphasized the company’s commitment to passenger and colleague safety and reassured the public that such incidents are rare. The spokesperson stated that, to her knowledge, this type of explosion had not occurred before and that these trains are generally safe.