What happened on 3 September to the passer-by in Milan?

A train departing from Varese and bound for Milan stopped at around 10 am at the Lancetti railway passerby station. About 400 passengers were safely evacuated. The cause was the cutting of an electrical cable during the renovation work on the roof of the tunnel. There were no injuries. The restoration of circulation was expected in about an hour.

How was the S5 Varese-Milan line, the Ticino commuter line, affected?

The S5 Varese-Milan Passante-Treviglio was routed on an alternative route to avoid the blocked passante. It is the line most used by commuters in the province of Varese and by Ticino border crossers. The deviation resulted in significant lengthenations of travel times, with potential delays of 20-40 minutes depending on the departure station.

What other suburban lines were affected by the disruption?

Lines S1, S12, S13 have been completely suspended. S2 was limited between Seveso and Milano Bovisa. The S3 and S4 suffered the general inconvenience of the passerby. All the lines that pass through the loop have recorded more or less serious critical issues.

Was there a similar event prior to September 3?

Yes, on Tuesday 2 September (the previous day) traffic was suspended between Milan Bovisa and Milan Lancetti due to a fault in the power supply line, always caused by an external company. That suspension had caused delays of up to 60 minutes and numerous cancellations. Two disruptions in two days suggest a structural problem in coordination with contractors.

How do I check for real-time updates on my trip?

Trenord has invited travellers to check the official Trenord app or the 'Real time | Lines and times' section of the trenord.it website. I recommend checking 15 minutes before your scheduled departure. You can also follow Trenord on social media (Twitter, Facebook) or call customer service to confirm the availability of alternative trains and estimated times.

Varese train blocked in Milan bypass: inconveniences at S5 (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 3 September 2026

Train halted in Milan interchange after electrical fault, evacuation of passengers on September 3, 2026.

Approximately 400 passengers evacuated on 3 September from the Milan passerby. The S5, a crucial line for Ticino commuters to Milan and the hinterland, diverted to an alternative route.

Context

In brief

Train Varese-Milano stopped on September 3 at 10 am at Lancetti station; 400 passengers evacuated
Cause: Cut electrical cable during works on the railway tunnel
S5 Varese-Milano-Treviglio (most used line by Varese commuters) diverted to alternative route
Disruptions on all 5 suburban lines: S1, S2, S3, S4, S5

Key facts

What: Train Varese-Milano blocked in the tunnel after electrical cable cut
When: September 3, 2026, around 10 am
Where: Milano Lancetti station, underground railway tunnel
Who: ~400 passengers evacuated; fire brigade, railway police, 118 on site
Estimated duration: About an hour to restore circulation
Affected lines: S1, S2, S3, S4, S5 all suspended or diverted

Around four hundred people were evacuated on Wednesday, September 3, from a train that had departed from Varese and was heading to Milano, which got stuck at the Lancetti station of the railway tunnel. The event immediately caused chaos on all suburban lines, severely affecting cross-border commuters who daily use this crucial route to Milano and the Lombard hinterland.

The train stopped around 10 am. Firefighters from the Milano Command, railway police, local police, and 118 personnel immediately intervened. With the support of civil protection, passengers were assisted and subsequently evacuated from the area. No injuries were reported by the authorities.

Electrical cable cut during tunnel works

According to reconstructions, the failure was caused by the cutting of an electrical cable during the ongoing renovation works on the tunnel roof. An inspection confirmed the fall of debris at the tunnel entrance, a direct consequence of the works in the critical area. Operations to restore circulation were estimated to take about an hour from the event.

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Operational details

The S5: the most critical line for Varese and Ticino border workers

The most serious situation concerns the S5 Varese-Milano Passante-Treviglio line, indicated by the source as "the most used line by commuters in the province of Varese". This connection is essential not only for the residents of Varese, but also represents an essential artery for Ticino border workers who travel from Lugano, Mendrisio, Chiasso and other municipalities of the canton to work in Milan, Varese, the Malpensa area and Brianza. The suspension and subsequent diversion directly affected this broad swath of cross-border workers.

According to the rescheduling communicated by Trenord at 11.20, the S5 was routed on an alternative route, avoiding the passerby. This resulted in significant lengthenations of travel times compared to normal routes. Those who normally drive to Varese, Busto Arsizio or Malpensa to catch the train had to find alternative solutions at the last moment, with an immediate impact on work start times.

Waterfall damage: other lines compromised

The rescheduling on 3 September also affected:

S1 Saronno-Milano Passante-Lodi, S12 and S13: fully suspended until further notice
S2 Seveso-Milano Passante-Milano Rogoredo: limited service only between Seveso and Milano Bovisa, skipping the passante
S3 Saronno-Milano Bovisa-Milano Cadorna and S4 Camnago-Milano Bovisa-Milano Cadorna: affected by

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Key points

Real-time monitoring: tools and channels for commuters

Trenord has invited travelers to check the status of trains via the official Trenord app and the "Real time | Lines and schedules" section of the trenord.it website. For those who commute daily from Ticino to Lombardy, it is essential to consult these channels 15-20 minutes before the scheduled departure, as disruptions can cause cascading delays even on lines not directly affected by the block.

For cross-border commuters using the S5 or other passante lines, the practical advice is to:

Check the Trenord app at least 15 minutes before leaving home or the station
Follow Trenord announcements on social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) for real-time updates
Call Trenord customer service to confirm the availability of alternative trains and estimated times
Allow extra time (at least 30-45 minutes) in case of scheduled diversions

Rescheduling: what has been canceled and what has been modified

At 11:20 AM on September 3, Trenord had communicated the complete rescheduling:

S1, S12, S13: not operated until further notice
S2: restricted between Seveso and Milano Bovisa (skipping the passante)
S5: rerouted on an alternative path (travel times increase significantly, potentially by 20-40 minutes depending on the terminus)

Circulation was expected to be restored within about an hour of the event, but it is not guaranteed that the subsequent scheduling was perfect. Anyone with a trip scheduled in the following hours should verify if the service had been fully restored before going to the station.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on 3 September to the passer-by in Milan?: A train departing from Varese and bound for Milan stopped at around 10 am at the Lancetti railway passerby station. About 400 passengers were safely evacuated. The cause was the cutting of an electrical cable during the renovation work on the roof of the tunnel. There were no injuries. The restoration of circulation was expected in about an hour.
How was the S5 Varese-Milan line, the Ticino commuter line, affected?: The S5 Varese-Milan Passante-Treviglio was routed on an alternative route to avoid the blocked passante. It is the line most used by commuters in the province of Varese and by Ticino border crossers. The deviation resulted in significant lengthenations of travel times, with potential delays of 20-40 minutes depending on the departure station.
What other suburban lines were affected by the disruption?: Lines S1, S12, S13 have been completely suspended. S2 was limited between Seveso and Milano Bovisa. The S3 and S4 suffered the general inconvenience of the passerby. All the lines that pass through the loop have recorded more or less serious critical issues.
Was there a similar event prior to September 3?: Yes, on Tuesday 2 September (the previous day) traffic was suspended between Milan Bovisa and Milan Lancetti due to a fault in the power supply line, always caused by an external company. That suspension had caused delays of up to 60 minutes and numerous cancellations. Two disruptions in two days suggest a structural problem in coordination with contractors.
How do I check for real-time updates on my trip?: Trenord has invited travellers to check the official Trenord app or the 'Real time | Lines and times' section of the trenord.it website. I recommend checking 15 minutes before your scheduled departure. You can also follow Trenord on social media (Twitter, Facebook) or call customer service to confirm the availability of alternative trains and estimated times.