Annual accident statistics

The Norwegian Railway Inspectorate produces accident statistics with the aim of providing an appropriate and correct picture of the risks to the general public, to decision makers and also internally in the Inspectorate. One of the reasons for this is to provide a risk-based supervision regime. An annual report containing accident statistics is published each year.

Railway risk profile

The number of passengers killed each year in Norway as a result of rail accidents has not, on average, changed significantly over the last 30 years. However, the year-on-year variation is large and is marked by certain years suffering major accidents with large numbers of killed and injured (Trofors 1998, Åsta 2000). In the same period, there has been a significant decline in the number of people killed in connection with the rail network (hit by trains and railway crossing accidents).

Around half of those killed as a result of railway accidents are killed in major incidents with multiple fatalities.

Fatalities during train operations 1996–2004

Major railway accidents over the last years

• 05/04/2000 Freight train runs into another stationary freight train at Lillestrøm. Two of the trucks were loaded with propane. One of the tanks was punctured and a violent fire occurred. Lillestrøm station and the surrounding area were evacuated for several days because of the danger of explosion.
• 05/02/2000 Level crossing accident between Helleland and Egersund. 4 people killed.
• 04/01/2000 Collision between two passenger trains at Åsta, between Rustad and Rena stations. 16 passengers and three employees killed.
• 17/12/1998 Passenger train was derailed after the rail bed had been washed away. 9 passengers were seriously injured and 35 were lightly injured. This was on the Nordland line between Trofors and Kvalfors.
• 19/09/1998 Level crossing accident at Gol station. 5 people killed.