Tunnel exercise to train emergency response at Storebælt

The exercise takes place at night to minimise disruption to train services. Passers-by will probably notice a considerable number of flashing blue lights at Korsør Station or around the railway link. The exercise simulates a train accident in the tunnel under conditions that are as realistic as possible and involves, among other things, extras, a specially designed railway carriage and many emergency vehicles.

Every day, almost 30,000 train passengers cross the Great Belt. The nearly 18-kilometre railway section runs both across the low bridge between Funen and Sprogø and through the eight-kilometre tunnel under the Great Belt. It is therefore essential that the emergency services are trained to handle a serious incident on the link.

“We need to be as well prepared as possible if a serious accident occurs. That is why we train procedures, skills, equipment and cooperation. An incident in the Storebælt tunnel places particular demands on the emergency services, which is why the exercise needs to take place inside the tunnel under conditions that are as realistic as possible,” says Lars Aage Nielsen, police commissioner with South Zealand and Lolland-Falster Police.

In addition to South Zealand and Lolland-Falster Police, the emergency response organisations include Sund & Bælt, Slagelse Fire & Rescue, Region Zealand, DSB and Banedanmark. A major emergency response exercise is conducted on the Storebælt Link every two years. The exercises alternate between the low bridge between Nyborg and Sprogø and the tunnel between Sprogø and Zealand.

“The Storebælt Link is one of Denmark’s most important transport arteries, and safety must always be at the highest level. It is therefore essential that we regularly train the emergency response and cooperation between the authorities. Exercises like this make us better prepared to act quickly and effectively should a serious incident occur,” says Pernille Jøndrup, Head of Railway Infrastructure at Sund & Bælt.

To minimise disruption to train services, the exercise will take place at night, when the fewest trains cross the Great Belt. Between 02:00 (summer time) and 06:30 (winter time), there will be changes to train services between Korsør and Nyborg.

Passengers are encouraged to keep up to date with the exact service changes on DSB or via Rejseplanen.

The exercise will not affect road traffic across the Great Belt.