Could you imagine how excited those workers must have been when they finally met in the middle? Like, how cool of a moment would that have been to witness?
@quillmaurer6563
2 жыл бұрын
I've seen videos of such events for other tunnels, including the Channel Tunnel. Always a momentous occasion, lots of celebrating, champagne, and so on. Especially when it's an international tunnel, like the Channel Tunnel or this one, as it is an international meeting.
@velox__
2 жыл бұрын
Imagine they meet, and realise they're off-center by a few meters 🤣
@jamsstar2010
2 жыл бұрын
@@velox__ you say that......would have happened 12km in from the English side,they got of course and it was cheaper to bury the boring machine then retrieve it and re align it
@redeye4516
2 жыл бұрын
+James The English side of the alps?
@martinc.720
2 жыл бұрын
Hey, an “Imagine” comment!
@Muonium1
2 жыл бұрын
I remember when this happened even though I'm in America. It was a significant international story. The biggest factor (which was apparently a surprise to the safety regulators at the time) was the ENORMOUS energy content of the margarine on board the truck. Margarine contains around 7 Calories or 29Kj of energy per gram. NINE TONS of margarine or 261 GIGAjoules of energy. That's equivalent to nearly 7,000 liters of diesel fuel (~1,800 gal). And that's not even taking into consideration the 12 tons of flour at 4 Calories per g or all the plastic packaging for everything which is basically just solid petroleum in terms of energy content. There was no choice but to simply let that much fuel and energy burn off before entering the tunnel.
@dfuher968
2 жыл бұрын
Yeah, there were a lot of reclassifications after this horrible fire and changes in rules for transport.
@Grognarthebarb
2 жыл бұрын
Speaking of solid petroleum. People don't realize how terrifyingly flammable furniture is
@ingrid_inthesky
2 жыл бұрын
@@Grognarthebarb My sister wants to put foam all over her room for streaming but the way our apartment is set up, had a fire started, she would be completely trapped. It's just screaming fire hazard and I am totally against it.
@Grognarthebarb
2 жыл бұрын
@@ingrid_inthesky I'd imagine there should be Fire retardant foam you can get but it would be more pricey I am pretty sure i have seen people hang sheets as a noise damper and echo prevention for streaming atleast in that situation they could be put up and taken down between uses and finally there's always software that filters echos and non voice things out i'd suggest pointing out how hard the foam is to put up and how ugly and non flexible/reusable it is for how hard it is to put up
@quillmaurer6563
2 жыл бұрын
I'd heard of this accident before and the energy of margarine, comparable with diesel fuel. Curious, while melting some margarine on the stove I deliberately dripped some on the burner to see if it would ignite. It wasn't dangerous or anything, but the size of the resulting flame relative to the tiny amount of margarine surprised me.
@nancyaustin9516
2 жыл бұрын
As soon as I heard that they were pumping oxygen into the tunnel, my stomach fell. What a mistake! An understandable one in a way, since they were trying to think about saving the people trapped in there, but oh so dumb. Anyone who deals with fires ought to know you don't add oxygen to a conflagration.
@justinbremer2281
2 жыл бұрын
Damn shame to watch good intentions end up so poorly
@tookitogo
2 жыл бұрын
At the very beginning of the video, he describes the fire as “turning [the tunnel] into an oven”, to which I immediately thought “more like a blast furnace”. Then I read this comment - I hadn’t known they’d literally turned it into a blast furnace! :(
@datadavis
2 жыл бұрын
The best option would be nitrogen, at least people would suffocate somewhat mercifully compared to being burned alive.
@datadavis
2 жыл бұрын
Could put the fires out with carbon dioxide too, but its an irritant and also an awful way to go.
@andy86i
2 жыл бұрын
What a bunch of clowns.
@gingercube688
2 жыл бұрын
I'm amazed so many of the trapped fire fighters survived, what an unbearably horrific experience for them - as well as the motorbike hero
@basbleupeaunoire
2 жыл бұрын
I was, too.
@SuperAMJS
2 жыл бұрын
Whenever I've driven through that tunnel I've always thought of the poor souls who perished in there. Horrific way to go.
@KAdams-dr4pc
2 жыл бұрын
Such a pleasant thought ! 😂🤣🤗😂🤣🤗😂🤣
@rizzascollectibles3165
2 жыл бұрын
The souls didn’t parish, the body perished.
@bunnymad5049
2 жыл бұрын
@@rizzascollectibles3165 Yeah, having an argument with stranger is so much more important than remembering the dead and being respectful about it. 🙄 Nice ego you have there.
@bunnymad5049
2 жыл бұрын
SuperAMJS - that's brave. I'd be nervous! But yes, I'd think of them every time as well. It's good to at least remember them, eh? 💜
@uzaiyaro
2 жыл бұрын
For what it’s worth, tunnels the world over have had designs learning from this fire. Sealed, fireproof escape tunnels with entirely independent sources of air and power) in addition to the main tunnels are now the norm.
@NoArtisticLimitation
2 жыл бұрын
My wonder is - before the smoke alarms were turned off, how many of those “false alarms” matched the previous truck fires that were put out right away by truck drivers?
@breid3492
2 жыл бұрын
I imagine the false alarms were caused by exhaust fumes when high traffic volumes were using the tunnel. Three times longer than anything before; perhaps there was insufficient ventilation, the sensors were substandard, or the sensors had developed a fault through age/poor maintenance
@greenaum
2 жыл бұрын
Places I've lived have had fire alarms go off once every month or two, with not a single actual fire. This leads me to believe that fire alarms are shit and have many faults. Still, we're not able to disable the stupid thing, which is fair enough cos it's a safety thing, although domestic house fires are rare and not as dangerous as traffic tunnels. The Italians had no business switching off the alarms even if they went off a lot, it was up to them to check each false alarm, just in case. They had cameras. Perhaps a better system could be used with more sensors including heat AND smoke detectors, heat detectors are much less likely to go off falsely. Have lots of detectors so that if only one goes off it can be ignored, and make it possible to switch off individual detectors rather than the entire system. Also don't clad blocks of flats in flammable plastic.
@empressmarowynn
2 жыл бұрын
@@greenaum I once lived in a student housing block that had heat detectors in the kitchens with a fire proof door that MUST be closed when cooking and then regular smoke detectors throughout the rest of the units. Their reasoning was that yeah uni students are probably gonna burn some food now and then and they didn't want the fire service coming out for every burnt piece of toast. But if for some reason a fire started elsewhere in the flat they wanted someone there asap. There were still problems with steam vents being too close to some of the heat detectors so we would be woken at 3am when the alarms would go off and we'd play a game of "whose flat is it?" Still better than if it was smoke detectors everywhere.
@crezychameau
2 жыл бұрын
Probably none, since the 16 trucks fires that were documented were not considered false alarms, and I don't think there are undocumented ones since I highly doubt you could stop a truck on fire, extinguish it, and get going without anyone noticing. Turning the alarms off obviously seems horrendously stupid in hindsight, but from my experience a seasoned crew would not turn off fire alarm devices unless they were extremely faulty to the point it's not even useful anymore, like a 100 falses alarms a day. And beginners wouldn't even dare touch it. Doesn't make it okay of course, just trying to give another perspective :/
@233Deadman
2 жыл бұрын
@@empressmarowynn I mean, my university halls we had both the joy of a 3am fire alarm because someone decided to do a stir fry while drunk and hadn't closed the kitchen door like that. And then the brilliance of a fire alarm in the pouring rain because someone actually had set their flats kitchen on fire.
@courier-ec6zj
2 жыл бұрын
While I get what they were going for when they started to pump air in- after all, attempting to make the air more breathable is a good intention- I can't help but wonder if someone at some point was like 'why are we doing this, it's just going to make it worse'
@lifeloverNorris
2 жыл бұрын
The people who made the decisions to pump in air should be punished as well for such extreme act of negligence in this incident, if they weren't already been.
@bunnymad5049
2 жыл бұрын
My shock was that they know air/oxygen feeds a fire and in house fires etc, they always say close doors and don't open a door to a room that's on fire (if you can help it) because it will create a fire ball due to the oxygen rushing into the room. So, I'm a bit judgemental here ... then again, I don't know the physics they probably thought they were dealing with.
@neurocidesakiwi
2 жыл бұрын
Sounds like a management decision. People who know nothing and have zero practical experience. More than likely someone did call it out, but was ignored.
@dfuher968
2 жыл бұрын
It was actually against the fire protocols, but the operator on duty in a distressed state at the pictures on his surveillance screens either wasnt properly trained or simply forgot due to the stressful situation, I dont remember which. I do remember, that it was not a management order as JJ claims, it was a single person making a terrible mistake with the best intentions, just trying to help.
@indy_go_blue6048
2 жыл бұрын
@@dfuher968 Perhaps he thought it was "just the truck" burning, not knowing it's flammable cargo, and that the fuel for the fire should've been burned out by that time. Hard to say, but that seems a logical (though terribly wrong) decision at the time.
@wtorules4743
2 жыл бұрын
This incident was in news in the UK a few days ago. Tory minister Jacob Reese Mogg was complaining about safety signs in Dartford tunnel that were introduced following the Mont Blanc fire. Excellent video.
@johnchurch4705
2 жыл бұрын
Have you got a link to his report about the Dartford Tunnel please?
@jonmel
2 жыл бұрын
Let me guess he was complaining it cost “too much” money for the additional safety messages and precautions and said it was an example of the evil eu overreach hurting profits for companies?
@rich_edwards79
2 жыл бұрын
JRM aka the Haunted Pencil is an absolute cretin of the highest order.
@wtorules4743
2 жыл бұрын
@@jonmel it was more trivial than that but a massive issue for Jacob. An EU directive was issued after the MB fire to place signs a set distance from the exits at either end. Jacob thought it was ridiculous that when translated from metres to yards as used in the UK it looked like an odd number. So he cited it as a benefit of having left the EU that we could change it or remove it. He hadn't thought about just moving it until it became a round number or even putting more signs in. In the grand scheme of things it doesn't really matter as long as the sign is there.
@alexandraw.4012
2 жыл бұрын
Good ol' JRM. The man is a money hungry monster.
@ASolzhenitsyn
2 жыл бұрын
In 2000, less than year after this I was on a bus that passed through the alternate route for this tunnel and there was a image of a man on a motorcycle with lots of names on plaques. Passengers on the bus asked the driver about it (we were all not from Europe) and he told us this story as we sat in traffic.
@N.I.R.A.T.I.A.S.
2 жыл бұрын
Bit like a cruise ship showing _Titanic_ while they cross the north Atlantic.
@ChucklesTheBeard
2 жыл бұрын
@@N.I.R.A.T.I.A.S. I've been on a cruise that goes through the Bermuda triangle, and has a "ghost stories" night right before they enter it.
@ASolzhenitsyn
2 жыл бұрын
@@N.I.R.A.T.I.A.S. yeah disaster tourism
@zurirobinson2749
2 жыл бұрын
Oh my God what sadist was that bus driver
@KezanzatheGreat
2 жыл бұрын
@@zurirobinson2749 So it's sadistic to inform curious foreigners about something terrible that happened in your history? Since when? At least they know.
@jacekatalakis8316
2 жыл бұрын
Tunnels are dangerous. I'll throw out the Gotthard tunnel fire/collision in 2001 as well, the 1942 Balvano train disaster as well as other examples of tunnel disasters. Also the Chunnel has had its disasters too EDIT: Also 9 tons of margarine, 12 tons of flour. That's basically a bomb being hauled in a fridge trailer, the chemical makeup of margarine means when it burns, you have a problem...
@jena.alexia
2 жыл бұрын
Burnley Tunnel, Melbourne. 2007 accident and fire.
@margin606
2 жыл бұрын
Clayton Tunnel disaster 1861
@dmign
2 жыл бұрын
what about that tunnel in Independence Day
@simonbutterfield4860
2 жыл бұрын
Also Jace, flour is more flammable than petrol when in large quantities also which I guess you were alluding to too. I worked in a Bakery and the UK authorities say you have 2 mins to evacuate in a fire but the place went up in seconds. I was told this by colleagues who were there at the time which was a few months or so before I worked there.
@jacekatalakis8316
2 жыл бұрын
@@simonbutterfield4860 Flour is. Flour on its own is bad, margarine on its own is bad, put them together... I can't find anything if at that point in time they neded a hazmat sticker on the trailer and I totally and utterly believe that bakery story given how many dust explosions/fires have come up over the years. Two minutes to get out, that's way way too long. You got flour and oxygen, and a spark, you basically got a fireball right from the get go. That being said I'm curious though if the refridgerated trailer would have had an impact on how dangerous the flour itself is, I need to check with someone who hauls 20 ton fridge trailers and knows how they operate. I'd need to find it but in one of the documentaries it was pointed out stopping meant there was no air flow to keep the flames from spreading, I don't know if that'd have changed anything though, there was a fire extinguisher on board but once the cab went up and the flames got to the diesel tank there was nothing to be done.
@insearchuvu7870
2 жыл бұрын
After so many months of Following 'Fascinating Horror' video's ... This Narrator NEVER FAILS to properly phrase with proper emphasis ... video after video !!! He is an EXCELLENT Speaker !!!
@knickd1979
2 жыл бұрын
That’s my guy Kristian. I don’t know why he doesn’t try to put his name out more. He’s truly one of the best in the biz!
@soapjayson3358
2 жыл бұрын
I'm certainly no expert but I cant believe nobody screamed to stop before they flooded the tunnels with fresh air.
@dfuher968
2 жыл бұрын
Coz it was a single person, an operator on the Italian side, who did it on his own in violation of the fire protocols. In the distress of the pictures from inside the tunnel he simply panicked and instinctively turned on the oxygen trying to help ppl. A horrible mistake with the best intention and a devastating outcome, that he has to live with for the rest of his life.
@Tomah4wkVideos
2 жыл бұрын
I loved tunnels as a kid, but the incidents at Mont Blanc and Kaprun made we aware that tunnels can be dangerous AF.
@datadavis
2 жыл бұрын
I had zero thought of it when i rode through mont blanc tunnel in 1994 as a 12 year old with my grandparents
@dfuher968
2 жыл бұрын
Kaprun was so so sad. First they had so much difficulty getting out of the train, and then almost all of them walked up. I never did understand, why they did that, every1 knows, smoke goes up, thats why u have to crawl along the floor out of a smoke filled building. But I guess, it was simple panic, and they did have to go past the flames to go down to safety.
@davidhynd4435
2 жыл бұрын
I find it frustrating that "nothing has gone wrong so far" is often seen as proof that nothing will go wrong. Previously, sixteen trucks had caught fire in the Mont Blanc tunnel, so truck fires were clearly a possibility. The fact that those sixteen truck fires were contained by their drivers was apparently seen as evidence that the system worked and nothing needed to be added. Common sense dictates that at some point a driver would fail to extinguish a truck fire, yet no additional safety measures had been instituted.
@G1NZOU
2 жыл бұрын
Yeah I always get frustrated at that attitude too. "Oh we've never had an accident." "I know we haven't, I want it to stay that way."
@mRibbons
2 жыл бұрын
A tunnel fire under a mountain in complete darkness? F***ing yikes. Something I'll be thinking of throughout my day. Thanks Fascinating Horror!
@patriciayoung3267
2 жыл бұрын
Once again a video of a well known tragedy that I have seen done many times. But yours was chock full of more details that I have never heard before. I never skip one of your pieces no matter how familiar the subject matter as I always know that I will learn something new.
@johnclasing4627
2 жыл бұрын
I actually had never heard of this one. Pretty horrific.
@mbryson2899
2 жыл бұрын
Absolutely chilling. I have read a few accounts, but you really tied it together.
@TheMountyPresents
2 жыл бұрын
Couple things. Fire spread mostly because of the flour and margarine in the truck and the fresh oxygen mainly spread the cyanide-filled smoke through the tunnel. Most of the victims couldn't drive off or away because engines require oxygen to start. But yeah, great doc 👍
@rich_edwards79
2 жыл бұрын
Yes, I was wondering why those in cars didn't simply turn back the way they'd come (and take any stranded truck drivers along with them) when they realised that the tunnel ahead was impassable. This explains it.
@aoki6332
2 жыл бұрын
@@rich_edwards79 and you need to remember that in most case people will just wait and once its to late (when the Co2 is starting to come) they realize that they should leave but either cant move around or are already poisoned be co2
@FlorSilvestre12
2 жыл бұрын
I had never really thought about the fact that truck drivers can't turn around in tunnels and are essentially locked in for whatever happens. I guess then if you're in an emergency like this in a car that can turn around, might be the time to grab as many stranded truckers as you can fit in your vehicle and bail them out of there with you.
@quillmaurer6563
2 жыл бұрын
9:42 What was the truck driver deemed guilty of? His truck caused the disaster, but as far as is said in the video he didn't do anything wrong. He had no evidence of anything amiss until he was already in the tunnel, and once aware his truck was on fire did the best he could to address the situation. I'd think he would have been better to keep driving, try to get out of the tunnel as quickly as possible, rather than stopping to try to fight the fire, but that was at worst a mistake rather than negligence or any other guilty action. He already has to live with the guilt of this for the rest of his life, even if he wasn't at fault. Really he, like all the victims who died, was just at the wrong place at the wrong time.
@ModeofHorror
2 жыл бұрын
I had the same thought. The only thing I could imagine that would make him culpable is if they deemed he didn't adequately attempt to extinguish the flame before retreating. That is purely speculation though as I don't know anything about the case or the laws in those countries. I'm glad they gave him a suspended sentence though. He certainly did not deserve jail time for this. I'm sure he was quite frightened when he saw the truck go up in flames. I can only imagine how much more terrible it became when he saw the scene play out as it did.
@essaboselin5252
2 жыл бұрын
And the cause of the fire was determined to be a cigarette that someone else threw away and got sucked into his air filter. He had no part in that. It would be nice to know what he was convicted of.
@paulstaf
2 жыл бұрын
Investigators accuse Mr Degrave of abandoning his lorry when he realised it was on fire, rather than backing it into one of the emergency bays. Mr Degrave said yesterday the vehicle was too long to manoeuvre into the space. He said: "I did the only thing possible. And I wasn't to know the controllers weren't watching their video screens or the alarm wouldn't be given."
@janosnagyj.9540
2 жыл бұрын
I thought the same: it was a HUGE mistake to stop in the middle of the tunnel by FREE WILL instead of driving out the truck until it is still able to MOVE!!! I think the fire was kept at low level by the wind caused by the moving vehicle. As soon as it stopped (by the driver...) there was no more cooling effect, so the fire was able to burst out. I think he should have kept guilty for this bad, very bad decision....
@clairewilliams9416
2 жыл бұрын
I too was wondering this. It’s not the driver fault his vehicle caught fire and he did try to tackle it.
@kookytoots6755
2 жыл бұрын
Your research is impeccable. Is it wrong of me to say that I love these videos?
@BlighterProductions
2 жыл бұрын
I agree. This channel is the best that the Tuesdays have to offer.
@twistedpear18
2 жыл бұрын
If wrong, then who needs being right?
@losetsuna
2 жыл бұрын
There is nothing wrong with that.
@juliaconnell
2 жыл бұрын
it is indeed "fascinating horror". I get what you mean, I often wonder why I enjoy these so much (brilliantly researched, presented, narrated etc) - I often feel sickened not only at waste of life, but horrific way to die - however at least in most cases, tragedy has led to redesigns, basic safety features & measure that have saved so many more lives.
@olivebrosnan4437
2 жыл бұрын
If it is then I’m very wrong - these videos not only help me learn more about history and safety protocols but FH also does it in an unbiased way. These videos are also well researched and if there’s anything he missed, someone in the comments will probably post more info about it.
@jenniferferguson4373
2 жыл бұрын
I am a firefighter, I watch your videos for reference. Unfortunately our current SOPs on unfortunate incidents we learn from previous incidents. Thank you for all your hard work. It is appreciated.
@chriswilkin2112
2 жыл бұрын
Having seen drivers removing hazchem stickers from trailers in order to avoid having to wait for the dangerous goods convoy with escort through the Dartford Tunnel which is a baby tunnel compared to MB, it makes you wonder how many others do this at MB, and other tunnels. Not knocking all waggon drivers, just the minority few who want to risk an incident just to save a few minutes.
@AndyPate72
2 жыл бұрын
I sincerely hope you reported them. That is a potential disaster just waiting to happen.
@roadweary5252
2 жыл бұрын
I know the name “Mont Blanc” as the ammunition ship that was struck by the “Imo” in Halifax Harbor in 1917. 20 minutes later the Mont Blanc exploded and leveled the city. You did an excellent video on it last year
@martinc.720
2 жыл бұрын
Ok
@marwarimirelune5128
2 жыл бұрын
The Mont-Blanc (no need to pronounce the final -t and -c) is the highest mountain in Europe, before to be this ship (what also was an horrible event)
@theshermantanker7043
2 жыл бұрын
That was was actually insane, it was a sizeable fraction of the nuclear bombs that were dropped on Japan, imagine power of that magnitude
@Haxaal
2 жыл бұрын
How do you consistently make videos this good? I love every single one. Keep up the good work.
@venomancer711
Жыл бұрын
RIP Spadino, he was a simple man who enjoyed riding but when the disaster happened he stepped up and saved many lives at the cost of his own. His BMW bike was melted to the ground. Bikers still ride up in tribute and memory of their fallen brother till this day
@bunnymad5049
2 жыл бұрын
I cannot believe they pumped air in. It was 1999. ALL of us watching know how that was going to go. I'm just so sorry. This is awful. It happened just 3 weeks before my youngest son was born. =/ So, so sorry. Thanks for helping us be aware of these. Your research is appreciated. xx
@dfuher968
2 жыл бұрын
Yeah, it was an operator on the Italian side, who made a terrible mistake, just trying to help, and forgot the protocols, and why the protocols existed. I dont agree with those, who want him punished. He has to live with that for the rest of his life, that is more than enough punishment. He was trying to save ppl, not kill them.
@SpicyTexan64
2 жыл бұрын
What does 1999 have to do with it? They would have known that to be a bad idea in 1899.
@iamzuesthisisthetruth8864
2 жыл бұрын
@@dfuher968 or he was trying to kill people! You don’t know what he was thinking! If your mistakes lead to death of people! Then it’s Negligent Homicide!! Unless intent is proven!!!
@bunnymad5049
2 жыл бұрын
@@SpicyTexan64 Because they knew more about how fire worked in 1999 as opposed to 1899. Science and its advancement, dude. They'd not long figured out cholera was not caused by miasma. The sciences were all still in their infancy.
@bunnymad5049
2 жыл бұрын
@@dfuher968 Yeah. I think people were facing something that was so horrible they probably weren't thinking straight. We do weird stuff when in shock. I agree with you.
@seandelap8587
2 жыл бұрын
It makes you realise that something like this could happen to anyone at anytime its basically how lucky you happen to be.
@Syclone0044
2 жыл бұрын
Hey Fascinating Horror, you’ve made the big time! My brother lives in another state and we’re not very close and we got together last weekend and by sheer coincidence he mentioned watching one of your videos!! I was like whattttt no way! 🙌🏼😃
@FloozieOne
Жыл бұрын
I have seen other documentaries on this disaster but, as always, you give far more information about the incident and its causes are outstanding. Burning to death is absolutely the worst way to die in my opinion. Although some died before they even knew it, the rest must have thought they could escape until they realized they were going to die. And it all happened to them in the dark. How horrible.
@scobra5941
Жыл бұрын
Inhaling smoke is mostly what kills them. The burning happens later when they don't feel a thing, so cheer up!
@pmberry
2 жыл бұрын
How many times have we heard the threatening complacence of "there's never been an accident/injury/death before?"
@marwarimirelune5128
2 жыл бұрын
Very surprised but so pleased to see a video in english about my county. I'm living in the city where took place the jugdement. The Mont-Blanc tunnel fire still is a bleeding wound in the heart of people living here. Thank you !
@fffrrraannkk
2 жыл бұрын
1000 degrees C is so freaking hot. I was watching a video about space last night and some stars are 1000 degrees C. Sure that's not considered a very hot star, but holy hell it's still a star and that's how hot it was inside that tunnel with people in it.
@sephirosu
2 жыл бұрын
This is one of the disasters I heard about that has stuck with me the longest. People died simply because they chose the wrong direction and nothing more. That firefighter who led them the right (long) way out was sheer good fortune that he was there.
@dfuher968
2 жыл бұрын
Sounds like, ur talking about the Kaprun fire.
@zacharyrollick6169
2 жыл бұрын
@@dfuher968 Yeah, that what it sounds like.
@ariahazelwood3842
2 жыл бұрын
@@zacharyrollick6169 ^yeah I agree as well that's Kaprun
@gildor8866
2 жыл бұрын
@@ariahazelwood3842 Sounds like it, though at Kaprun it wasn't the longer way, it was the way downhill towards and past the fire that led to safety.
@tobys_transport_videos
2 жыл бұрын
It strikes me that the tunnel was a disaster waiting to happen. The Italians couldn't have cared less about safety, and this proved it. Add to this the fact that the tunnel was just *ONE LANE* each, making it quite narrow, and you have more (dare I say it) fuel for the fire. Then comes the thing of smoking. I had never considered the prospect that a lit cigarette may somehow go into the air intake of a truck, but it now seems likely that this is what caused the disaster. Now add in that the truck driver ignored the smoke until too late, and you have all the ingredients for a disaster! I don't think the truck driver deserved any real punishment - he got a 4 month suspended prison sentence - but he should have been seriously concerned about the smoke. I used to drive trucks up to 12 pallets, Bendy / Articulated buses, and 14.5 metre coaches for a living, so I know something about big vehicles and danger...
@erynlasgalen1949
2 жыл бұрын
So far, as I read the comments, you are the only one to mention the most probable cause of the fire -- the fact that smokers seem to view the entire world as their ashtray. It almost makes me hope that lung cancer got the butt flicker in the end.
@ismayb754
2 жыл бұрын
I can't stand it when I see a car in front of me throwing a lit cigarette from their window. It's bad enough to do it on a normal road but in a tunnel is absolute stupidity.
@tobys_transport_videos
2 жыл бұрын
@@erynlasgalen1949 Simple! I took notice of what was said in the video and thought about it, taking into account my years with buses and trucks. Thanks for your positive comment! 🙂
@tobys_transport_videos
2 жыл бұрын
@@ismayb754 Exactly! If governments didn't make so much in taxation from it, they'd ban it!!!
@LemonScentedSharpie
2 жыл бұрын
This story makes me terrified of driving in an underground tunnel.
@WouldntULikeToKnow.
2 жыл бұрын
Or underwater tunnel
@momsnoteatingbugs1919
2 жыл бұрын
We had something similar in the San Francisco Bay Area in the Caldecott Tunnel when a gasoline tanker was involved in an accident. A fireball ensued and the trapped motorists were killed. The death toll was kept down to 7, as the accident occurred late at night.
@californiahiker9616
2 жыл бұрын
I remember that! Another horrific story! I think of it every time I go through that tunnel. Luckily it’s fairly short! But. Going under SF Bay on BART gives me the willies. Imagine the BIG ONE happening, and you’re stuck under the bay!
@ingGS
2 жыл бұрын
OMG! I worked on a parallel tunnel to the Mont Blanc, designed and built precisely because of this tragedy; that was actually why I went to Europe my first time. I am fan of this channel and a case had never hit so close to me. Thanks for covering it!!!
@joelharris1335
2 жыл бұрын
In 1999, the Kingsway Tunnel in Liverpool was inspected by the European Union after the fire, with all the measures in place, the tunnel was rated 'good'.
@fauzan9896
2 жыл бұрын
Pumping air into a fire to get rid of smoke was a HORRENDOUS mistake!!
@coffeemakerbottomcracked
2 жыл бұрын
Nobody was like "hey this is a bad idea"
@fauzan9896
2 жыл бұрын
@@coffeemakerbottomcracked I feel it was like a spur of the moment thing. Too desperate to think straight if you know what I mean.
@Xeston25
2 жыл бұрын
What's the point in suing the driver? He tried to fight the fire as soon as he noticed it, only to be pushed back by the flames. What was he supposed to do? Burn to death?
@dyamonde9555
2 жыл бұрын
The way the Narrator tells it the Driver did NOT immidiately stop to try and check on the fire when he was made aware of it. He kept driving on for several minutes, going deeper into the tunnel. And after failing to fight the fire it seems he ran all the way out of the tunnel, without stopping at an emergency phone to immidiately call it in.
@dfuher968
2 жыл бұрын
@@dyamonde9555 No, he was pushed back by the flames, that flared up, the moment he stopped. His extinguisher did not help at all. He was picked up by a car from the Italian side, that was almost by the truck, but managed to turn around and make it out of the tunnel. If they had stopped, they wouldve died too. Also, he did stop, as soon as he noticed smoke as distinguished from exhaust. Add to that, all previous truck fires in the tunnel had been dealt with by the truck drivers. When they noticed fire or were made aware by oncoming cars, they stopped and used their extinguisher. He had no reason to think, that wouldnt work. They did tests afterwards getting to the origins of the fire. Thats how they came to the conslusion of a lit cigarette being thrown into the air intake. They concluded, that the fire was started, but hidding, when the truck entered the tunnel, and smoke only became visible, as the truck drove further into the tunnel. The really sad part is, that they determined, that the airflow generated by the speed of the truck actually kept the fire somewhat at bay, and the moment, the driver (and the airflow) stopped, the flames roared, and the driver never had a chance of extinguishing it. The ppl in the car, that picked him up, witnesses this, thats why they yelled at him to jump in, while they were turning the car around. Ive seen an interview with the driver of that car. They barely made it out.
@dyamonde9555
2 жыл бұрын
@@dfuher968 Interesting. Thanks for the additional information
@acheekymeesh
2 жыл бұрын
My first episode of seconds from disaster was on this incident, i was 12 yesrs old when i saw it and for 3 years i had a fear of tunnels because of it, im over it now but i remember how shocking that episode was and the things that went wrong. Absolutely horiffic accident
@Louisa.Bowman23
2 жыл бұрын
A tragic story I had heard of🙁 😢 Driving through any tunnel reminds me of this story.
@jmuk9165
2 жыл бұрын
I was on a coach in this tunnel but at a standstill only a short distance inside when we noticed smoke pouring out of the sides. It caught fire and we were evacuated really fast. The response was rapid and thankfully no one was hurt. We had heard about previous fires in the tunnel but I can’t imagine this kind of horror. RIP to everyone on that terrible day.
@robinsea
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for bringing us such well researched and presented videos! At the same time, I can imagine having to do so much research into things like this can take a toll, so please if you ever need to take a break don't feel guilty
@sportscarfacts8180
2 жыл бұрын
Well done on your outstanding production quality and respect for the disasters. One I think you should have a look at is the whiddy harbour disaster.
The security guard was a true hero. RIP Safety was overlooked and too many vehicles were allowed to enter. And pumping air into the tunnel was a huge mistake.
@davidci
2 жыл бұрын
It's this tunnel fire that makes you wonder why Elon Musk is even bothering with his own tunnel. Once you've seen how cramped his proposed tunnel idea is, you already know that it doesn't even need the fatal decision of pumping oxygen into it that will already cause so many fatalities there if a fire were ever to start.
@biohazardlnfS
2 жыл бұрын
Prob be exetemely hard for a fore to start anyhow inside that type of tunnel. Seeing as how's its suppose to be a vacuuum chamber. No air or oxygen in it to burn.
@Xeston25
2 жыл бұрын
@@biohazardlnfS Elon is, right now, building tunnels which are even worse than the normal ones and are packed full with extremely flamable cars. I hope they close it down before it gets featured on this channel.
@kain0m
2 жыл бұрын
@@biohazardlnfS Guessing he's referring to the Las Vegas tunnel. The one where cars drive in it, and which is too narrow to open the doors of said cars outside of the stations.
@dazanii
2 жыл бұрын
Not to mention they’re filled with Teslas which are kind of famous for having deadly fires
@KezanzatheGreat
2 жыл бұрын
@@kain0m Oh wow. I could already tell the guy only thought he was smart, but that is next level kind of dumb. How did any self-respecting engineer end up signing off on that?
@thecremeegg
2 жыл бұрын
Absolute madness they would think that fresh air would be a good idea to pump in...
@justandy333
2 жыл бұрын
I remember having discussions about this when it happened and we all agreed that the driver shouldn't have stopped his truck in the tunnel. Yes the trucks on fire, but its not that bad, just keep going!, increase speed if possible, but just keep the truck moving and out of the tunnel. Once clear, then get out and run like hell! Hindsight is a wonderful thing but shoulda, woulda, coulda...Didn't But the more scary thing is alot of new builds is that they're using extra fans and ventilation to "Blow away the toxic gases to prevent smoke Inhallation" But that will fan the fire?! How do you effectively vent the toxic air in a tunnel without fanning the flames of the fire?
@scobra5941
Жыл бұрын
Hmmmm... I'll take bets on how long you would drive a burning vehicle for if it ever happened to you. I'm calculating you would be at least 30 feet away from it within half a minute.
@arnaudt3935
2 жыл бұрын
I was waiting for this episode since I know the channel ! I live in the region, and we all remember this total tragedy.
@ArcherHMR
2 жыл бұрын
I feel like the lory driver shouldn't have been charged. Unless there's some information missing in the video, none of what happened was his fault. He did try to stop the fire, and only fled because he realized he didn't have the tools to do so.
@aimeem
2 жыл бұрын
Totally agree
@neonhomer
2 жыл бұрын
I believe it was because he knew the truck had an issue earlier and didn't stop before it got out of hand
@NKP723
2 жыл бұрын
I think he bares some responsibility for willingly transporting that much dangerous cargo. I don’t think he should have been charged either but, unfortunately, drivers in these cases are the easiest sacrificial lamb
@neonhomer
2 жыл бұрын
@@NKP723 depends if they considered that cargo HazMat...
@JerezIwiski
2 жыл бұрын
His vehicle was the cause of the fire, he didn't stop right away when a issue was brought to light, and fires in vehicles are often caused by lack of maintenance such as an oil or gas leak onto a hot engine.
@tattooeddragon
2 жыл бұрын
This reminds me of a local tragedy that happened in the early 80’s. The Caldecott tunnel fire killed at least a dozen people when the explosion of a fuel tanker turned the tunnel into an incinerator.
@kimifur
2 жыл бұрын
I rode my motorcycle through that tunnel dozens of times during my decade in the Bay Area (2008-2019) and had no idea this even happened. Wow.
@RagerQueen
2 жыл бұрын
I loudly mumbled a "holy shit...." when the part came that they pumped oxygen in... someone obviously failed their chemistry classes
@PrimevalMudd
2 жыл бұрын
Just when I thought my jaw couldn't drop any lower the fresh air popped up.
@luciusaurelius209
2 жыл бұрын
I watch your ads cause your content is my comfort, and your channel is my favorite.
@Ozymandias1
2 жыл бұрын
The lorry driver got a prison sentence even though there was nothing he could do. That reminds me of when Italy put a few geologists in jail because they had failed to prevent an earthquake from happening. They like to make scapegoats there.
@robertperring4194
Жыл бұрын
In my ADR training decade ago the trainer stated the Belgium truck driver should not have stopped. As the heat and flames are going in the opposite direction it is advised that you keep going until you are clear of the tunnel.
@LORDOFDORKNESS42
2 жыл бұрын
I honestly wonder if those oxygen pumps where meant as a mercy in that 'nobody will ever admit it' sort of way. Like... this is grim to even type, but turning the tunnel & the too close survival rooms into an oven too hot to survive in under minutes instead of hours. That sort of terrifying choice I never, ever hope I'll need to even contemplate.
@ethanreynolds4942
2 жыл бұрын
Man, im so jazzed to see hlw far your channel has come! Your content has only gotten better and we are all so greatful for all of your hard work to bring us all of this great content.
@missdolittle
Жыл бұрын
I drove through it with my parents going on vacation a few times when I was a kid. It never got better. I always cried my way through it. Scared me to death.
@seandelap8587
2 жыл бұрын
How horrific it must have Bern to witness something like that even if you survived it the scars will always remain.
@davetreadwell
2 жыл бұрын
This makes me think of the awful motorway fire in the UK a few years ago where smoke from a firework display caused an enormous pileup
@dr-amethyst-77
2 жыл бұрын
I love your videos! You don’t sensationalize the tragedies with music or exaggerated voices, and I love that. More fire/explosion tragedies please!
@Unownshipper
2 жыл бұрын
I don't want to make broad generalizations about the Italians, but when he said they started pumping oxygen into the raging tunnel fire, I had to throw my hands up in disbelief. Why not throw kerosene on the flames to try and drown out the fire while you're at it?
@dfuher968
2 жыл бұрын
Not they, he. A single operator in violation of fire protocols, who in distress at watching the pictures from inside the tunnel instinctively turned on the oxygen trying to help. He was trying to save ppl, not kill them, and was either not properly trained in the protocols (and why they exist) or forgot in the stress of the moment with devastating consequences. I dont think, theres anything, u can say, that he hasnt told himself repeatedly every day since then and will until the day he dies. And no, u should not make broad generalizations about the Italians. It was absolutely disgusting to see the US news, when Covid hit Italy, and how Americans were denigrating the Italians and the Italian healthcare system, when Italy actually has 1 of the best healthcare systems in the world, far better than the American, but was completely overrun by a new unknown and highly contageous disease with zero warning. Ppl make mistakes. I have, and so have u. The vast majority of the time our mistakes have little or no impact. Sometimes they are devastating. But its my mistake. Or ur mistake. Not the mistake of our entire country.
@knickd1979
2 жыл бұрын
Very well said. Bravo!
@aletheredstoner1110
2 жыл бұрын
@@dfuher968 yea and the americans then proceeded to have one of the highest numbers of casualties. The italian government promptly closed the borders with china at the time iirc but unfortunately people traveling from there just stopped in another country and from there came to Italy anyway. In particular in my region (Veneto) the governor Luca Zaia took measures many found excessive that in the end saved thousands. He was the reason we were amongst the first to have enough masks for everyone and we're all grateful to him for this. Many of his rivals accused him of using the pandemic to get votes by broadcasting the news on the matter himself every day in an interview. Those rivals later ended up getting utterly curbstomped by him in the next regional elections with like 78% of votes (note that there are more than 2 candidates so normally the votes for a single candidate don't get much higher than 30% even in the best of cases).
@aletheredstoner1110
2 жыл бұрын
@@Shilanga-w2k bruh I was just answering to Dfuher and agreeing on the fact that the way that american news denigrated Italy when the pandemic had just started was disgusting and provided some facts that help prove that point. And you saying i'm talking about americans when i almost exclusively talked about Italy and only mentioned americans mainly to make clear which part of the comment i was replying to makes me think that either you didn't read my comment well or you misunderstood it in some way or another
@videotsavant7553
2 жыл бұрын
@@dfuher968 You're trying to make this about Americans and Covid for some reason (your odd agenda?), but that has nothing to do with this tragedy or the original post. Italy has been wracked with scandals and corruption for decades, in many ways the government is like a circus (with Silvio Berlusconi as the ringleader), so some criticism is warranted. And as you yourself point out, the staff managing the tunnel had insufficient or non-existent training for how to handle a fire, a rather basic scenario. This is not said with the benefit of hindsight, this was a very real, perfectly predictable event that should have been planned for (ex, what if two cars had collided and started a fire?), but as the narrator mentions, profit were put ahead of safety.
@dawnstorm9768
2 жыл бұрын
I'm reminded of the subway derailment that happened in January 1982 in Washington DC. A truly horrible day as there was also a horrific plane crash--not to mention this was all during a snowstorm.
@grapeshot
2 жыл бұрын
Who would think margarine would be so flammable🧈🧈🧈 being all boxed in, in a tunnel like that's claustrophobia, smoke and flames. Your world gets real small, real quick.
@ItsaKindOfMagic86
2 жыл бұрын
It made from flammable oils and fats, it not good to eat anyway, avoid the stuff
@gluteusaurusmaximus6133
2 жыл бұрын
What a child
@grapeshot
2 жыл бұрын
@@gluteusaurusmaximus6133 says the person with a picture of Barney.
@JayAlba8
2 жыл бұрын
I’ve been waiting for years to hear you tell us about this tragedy.thank you.
@AnonOmis1000
2 жыл бұрын
Why was the truck driver charged with anything?
@pooryorick831
Жыл бұрын
What a scary accident. I remember when this happened. It eerily reminded me of the Caldecott Tunnel fire near where I lived in the SF Bay Area in 1982. A gasoline truck was rammed and exploded. It was in the middle of the night so only 7 people died. Had that happened in rush hour, it would have been a catastrophe with casualties in the hundreds. Every time I go through a tunnel, I think about those accidents and the people who died. It is horrifying.
@musicbones1
2 жыл бұрын
Very good summary of the mistakes made. In Oakland, California, the Caldecott Tunnel fire in 1982 killed seven people when a gas tanker caught fire halfway through the bore. I remember that disaster very well, as it's near where I grew up.
@Jimmie2429
2 жыл бұрын
Once again, we have a tragic disaster caused by human greed, negligence and incompetence.
@tidmouthmilk12
Жыл бұрын
Very interesting video. I've been vaguely aware of this disaster ever since Jeremy Clarkson commented on it during Top Gear's plane vs Veyron race, but I'd never looked into the full details before.
@Zimin_Anatoly2000
2 жыл бұрын
I watched a documental about this disaster on NG. Still shocked,still can't understand,why this truck didn't have a simple fire extinguisher or smth ?
@custardavenger
2 жыл бұрын
Is that why the driver was charged? I was trying to work out what it was he did wrong.
@whofandb
2 жыл бұрын
I never knew about Tinazzi's heroism. Thank you this vid.
@toushhog
Жыл бұрын
Guy on the motor bike gives me chills! He’s a hero!
@Not-TheOne
2 жыл бұрын
How can you take Volvo to court? I mean if there was a known part at fault, then yeah, obviously, but what people do and how they service the vehicles, is well beyond the manufacturers control.
@j3dwin
2 жыл бұрын
The lawyers sue everyone involved hoping for a fat settlement. Perhaps the case against Volvo was dropped because they have a massive legal defense budget. The lone truck driver? Not so much.
@NoArtisticLimitation
2 жыл бұрын
1:45 - idk why, but all these little old men holding a ribbon is kinda adorable.
@Xerdar36
2 жыл бұрын
Imagine if the tunnel system had a actually had a conveyor belt road way.. to pull cars out of tunnels in case of an accident. It would be expensive as hell.. but it would be a good way to clear the debris.. just saying..
@reachandler3655
2 жыл бұрын
Thankyou for another excellent episode. I'm glad the security guard was recognised for his bravery. RIP.
@bmused55
2 жыл бұрын
It is tough to say if any one person is at fault here. But the driver just running off to save his own skin and not alerting anybody comes close to being the single biggest reason for the tragedy. Why not use one of the SOS phones?
@lharwest1571
2 жыл бұрын
Judging by how they Viewed safety at the time.. How can you be sure that they even worked?
@dfuher968
2 жыл бұрын
He didnt just run off. He jumped out with his extinguisher expecting to deal with the fire, but the moment, he stopped, the flames flared up and pushed him back. A car opposite (coming from the Italian side) saw this and yelled at him to jump in, turned the car around and raced back towards Italy. They barely made it out. Had they stopped, they too wouldve died. And it wouldve made no difference, as the fire was way too hot, a couple of minutes wouldnt have changed that. While Fascinating Horror as usual does a good job with a summary of the disaster, it is just a broad overview with a lot of details left out. I see a lot of very judgmental ppl in the comments based on the summary and their own, mostly erroneous, conclusions. I would suggest, if u found this brief video interesting and want to know more rather than just throw wild accusations around based on very limited knowledge, finding more thorough reports, interviews etc would be the way to go. But I guess actual research and, oh horror, reading is way too much work, when u can just fire off a dumbass comment instead.
@knickd1979
2 жыл бұрын
Boom! You’re on a roll today my articulate and perceptive friend! ❤️
@primethought246graver5
2 жыл бұрын
This is the best doc on the mont blanc fire I know this route well as a driver to this day vehicle distances are strictly required when passing through
@Bob-kk2vg
2 жыл бұрын
it’s hard to imagine all that destruction is from just one cigarette butt.
@WouldntULikeToKnow.
2 жыл бұрын
One of the reasons why I'm so disgusted when I see someone throw them out of their car windows. It was especially mind blogging when I lived in California during extreme droughts and I'd see someone do that.
@Bob-kk2vg
2 жыл бұрын
@@WouldntULikeToKnow. wow that is messed up. As a smoker I NEVER litter my butts. Not only is it a fire hazard but it can take years for the filters to biodegrade. It’s a nasty habit to begin with and littering takes it to a whole other level of disgusting.
@datadavis
2 жыл бұрын
The filter is fibre glass and basically never degrades. At least it used to be, hopefully its changed out since ceramic fibers is even worse for the lungs than tobacco, lol
@ItsaKindOfMagic86
2 жыл бұрын
No it not hard, I live in Australia. Those ciggy butts are very dangerous here during summer time.
@verucasalt6519
2 жыл бұрын
Peace….unity…IGNORING SAFETY PROTOCOLS…ah, there it is! I hate how this is always a theme in FH videos, but love how this channel does the stories and victims of each tragedy justice.
@Straswa
2 жыл бұрын
Great vid FH. I first heard of this disaster on Seconds from Disaster. Thanks for the extra info on it, especially of the brave Mr. Tinazzi.
@Make573
2 жыл бұрын
I actually do remember the news and media buzzing about this around the time, since i was already 7 y old back in the day.
@iznbrgwhite421
2 жыл бұрын
Love these clips keep pumping them out
@dreadnoughtus2598
2 жыл бұрын
What's the fucking point of a 'Fireroom' being 'Not' fireproof?
@thestars386
2 жыл бұрын
This is something I don't think I ever thought of happening, a fire in a tunnel, as much as I used tunnels in my life. I was always creeped out about the tunnels that had water above them and would think about how tunnels could flood if the walls were to break open.
@carolsummers8734
Жыл бұрын
I remember this on the news. I get claustrophobic and hate tunnels. This is so scary.
@EonArashi
2 жыл бұрын
First, Degrave’s name is pronounced “Jill-Bear De-Grav” Second, one of the factors for why the fire was so intense that you didn’t mention was that Degrave’s lorry was carrying a load of liquid margarine, which is even more flammable than gasoline once it lights up. The energy content is comparable to napalm.
@TheKetsa
2 жыл бұрын
Was it liquid ? in refrigerated lorry ?
@EonArashi
2 жыл бұрын
@@TheKetsa yes, it was liquid. And even if it hadn’t been, that much heat would have melted it very quickly.
@Nightfurygirl
Жыл бұрын
This is why I believe in the saying "Safety first" and "Better safe than sorry" because this could have been avoided or at the very least, reduce the amount of death and destruction caused.
@heiyuall
2 жыл бұрын
Reminds me of the disaster movie “Daylight.” It came out in 96, before this, so it’s just a sad coincidence.
@taraelizabethdensley9475
2 жыл бұрын
Ah yes, that was a good movie
@cerneuffington2656
2 жыл бұрын
Traveled through it in 1983 when i was 13 yrs old, Great fun.
@Otakunopodcast
2 жыл бұрын
When they got to the part about the Italians pumping in fresh oxygen, even before FH finished the sentence, I literally yelled out "YOU (expletive deleted) MORONS!!"
@Silkke
2 жыл бұрын
2 months after this one there was the inferno in Tauerntunnel in Austria. Different reason (cars had stopped because of a signal, lorry driver fell asleep and drove full speed into the waiting cars) but the result was similar. The inferno was so hot that nothing more than ashes remained of some victims. But the number of victims was lower since it happened only 600 meters from the entrance. Also in that case the lorry driver actually had to go to prison since 8 of the victims actually died in the crash (their cars being squished between two trucks). The truck against which the cars were squished carried spray cans. So you can imagine how big that fire got.
@wulliest
2 жыл бұрын
Drove through this tunnel not two weeks ago. They have done a huge amount of work post-disaster to ensure something like this never happens again - this was a Seveso / Flixborough moment for tunnels that had far reaching consequences for tunnel safety all over the world.
@ismayb754
2 жыл бұрын
Before re-opening they should have built in turning bays for trucks maybe one every half mile or something. It's good that most cars were able to turn round but I feel for the poor truck drivers who probably didn't know whether to abandon their vehicle or not.
@Oscar-fi1ev
2 жыл бұрын
My mind is blown that they never thought it would be a good idea to install a sprinkler system in a tunnel of that size.
@kylebutler7142
2 жыл бұрын
I thought he mentioned that.........he did! 3:19 pay attention next time
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