Archive images show devastation of 2001 Gotthard tunnel fire

SRF has marked 25 years since the Gotthard road tunnel fire with a gallery of photographs showing the damage and rescue response.

Images from 24 October 2001 show dense black smoke pouring from the tunnel’s south portal in Airolo. Several vehicles burned out, including a truck carrying tires. Heat reaching about 1,200 degrees deformed vehicles and caused concrete ceiling panels to come loose.

Rescue crews were only able to work at the scene the following day. Swiss President Moritz Leuenberger and Ticino State Councillor Marco Borradori visited then. About a month after the disaster, rescue workers gathered outside the south portal to remember the victims.