Lightning Strike Halts Trains Between Salzburg and Linz Amid Violent Storm
A violent storm swept across Upper Austria on Wednesday evening, causing widespread disruption. Train services between Salzburg and Linz came to a complete halt after lightning struck a key signal box on the Western Railway line. The storm hit just before nightfall, bringing heavy rain and intense lightning. A direct strike disabled the signalling system between Lambach and Breitenschützing, forcing trains to stop. Hundreds of passengers in Linz were left stranded at the station as services ground to a halt.
Delays quickly spread, with some travellers heading to Vienna facing waits of over an hour. Severe weather warnings covered much of the region as the storm moved through. Forecasters predicted the unstable conditions would last through the night, with isolated thunderstorms persisting until Thursday morning. More storms were expected on Thursday, including localised showers in the early hours. Authorities advised caution as the system continued to affect travel and infrastructure.
The lightning strike left train services severely disrupted, with knock-on delays extending beyond Upper Austria. While repairs were underway, further storms threatened to complicate recovery efforts throughout the night and into the following day.
