Balvano
The Balvano disaster: a railway tragedy in Italy
The Balvano disaster was one of the most serious railway accidents in the history of Italy. The incident occurred on March 3, 1944, in the "Delle Armi" tunnel near the Balvano-Ricigliano station, in the province of Potenza, on the Battipaglia-Potenza-Metaponto railway line. The freight train 8017, with hundreds of passengers on board, stopped in the tunnel releasing high amounts of toxic gases.
According to data provided by the Council of Ministers at the time, the disaster caused the death of 517 people, but there are estimates indicating a death toll higher than 600. Some survivors suffered permanent brain damage. The tragedy, which occurred almost at the end of World War II, was subject to censorship by the Allied forces and only after the war a detailed investigation into the disaster was conducted.
History of the Balvano railway disaster
A month before the incident, a train from the US military authority had suffered a similar accident in a tunnel on the Baragiano-Tito route. The train driver, Vincenzo Abbate, had been poisoned and fainted between the locomotive and the tender.
On March 2, 1944, the freight train 8017 left Naples for Potenza. The train was pulled by an FS E.626 locomotive and arrived at the Battipaglia station shortly after 6 pm. From the Battipaglia station, the train left at 7 pm towards Potenza and consisted of 47 freight cars with a maximum weight of 520 tons. The train was composed of two open-cab steam locomotives and a crew of two.
Hundreds of people boarded the train hoping to buy food supplies in the mountain villages of Basilicata. Many hungry women and some tired and war-weary boys embarked on the tragic journey.
The incident in the "Delle Armi" tunnel
The train was already experiencing some issues along the way, including water loss from the steam locomotives. However, the real problem occurred when the train entered the "Delle Armi" tunnel. The train got stuck inside the tunnel due to a malfunction in the lead locomotive.
Passengers tried to escape from the tunnel, but the strong wind and dense fog hindered their escape. The incomplete combustion of coal, combined with high humidity and lack of oxygen, produced high amounts of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide and other toxic gases. Most of the victims died of asphyxiation.
The consequences and causes of the Balvano railway disaster
After the tragedy, there were many questions about the safety of the Italian railway system. There was a lack of experience, quality, and technology compared to more developed nations. The disaster showed that there were not enough safety measures and steam locomotives were not suitable for long tunnel paths.
The Balvano disaster caused a serious loss of life and led to the discussion of a series of railway reforms aimed at improving safety for passengers and railway staff. The tragedy also highlighted the value of information and the need for communication on railway safety and accident prevention.
Conclusions
The Balvano railway disaster was one of the most tragic events in Italian history. Many Italians lost their lives due to the lack of safety measures, poor technology, and quality of railway materials. However, the tragedy led to a series of railway reforms that have contributed to ensuring greater safety measures in the Italian railway system. Today, the Balvano disaster serves as a source of learning and attention to railway safety issues in Italy and around the world.
