Mont Blanc Tunnel fire
A memorial plaque on the French side of the tunnel; pictured in 2010, remembering those who were killed in the fire. | |
| Date | 24 March 1999 |
|---|---|
| Venue | Mont Blanc Tunnel |
| Location | Chamonix, Haute-Savoie, France |
| Coordinates | 45°51′16″N 6°54′45″E / 45.85451°N 6.912534°E |
| Type | Fire |
| Deaths | 39 |
| Non-fatal injuries | 14 |
On 24 March 1999, a transport truck caught fire while driving through the Mont Blanc Tunnel between France and Italy. When it stopped halfway through the tunnel, it violently combusted. Other vehicles traveling through the tunnel quickly became trapped and they also caught fire as firefighters were unable to reach the transport truck. 39 people were killed. In the aftermath, major changes were made to the tunnel to improve its safety.