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    The fourth longest tunnel in the world, the Gitthard Tunnel in Swiss, is the most critical road connection from Italy to Germany. It was considered to be one of the safest European tunnels until October 24 th, 2001. One kilometer short of the south entrance, a truck veered out of control and collided with another car. The petrol leaked on the roadway. A fierce fire 31 inside the tunnel within a few moments later. Flames spread over 300 meters and the temperature reached 1,200 degrees Celsius. Large chunks of the roof were brought down by the raised temperature. Most cars and vans at the heart of disaster scene 32 like a molten mass. Eleven people died and 128 people were injured in the what would be remembered as one of the worst road accidents in Switzerland. The tunnel was also fitted with a 33 fire detection system and four powerful ventilation shafts that allows to refresh air in the tunnel, and to evacuate fumes, within 15 minutes of an accident. None of that was enough to prevent the tragedy. This 34 shows the fragility of Europe's transalpine routes. The tragedy 35 demands from environmental groups, safety campaigners and transporters for a shift from all freight traveling through road to rail transport. After two decades of construction work, the 35-mile Gotthard base tunnel will provide a high-speed rail link under the Swiss Alps between northern and southern Europe. The rail base tunnel not only significantly reduces the danger of road crashes, but also brings environmental benefits to the Alps by reducing pollution caused by the amount of freight hauled by heavy trucks.