E6 closed indefinitely: Chaos after bus fire in Raudhammar Tunnel

Ever been stuck in traffic and thought, "well, it can't get any worse"? For anyone trying to travel along the E6 in Sørfold today, it did get worse. A whole lot worse. A bus fire inside the Raudhammar Tunnel has put the entire main artery on hold. And when I say on hold, I mean a shutdown with no end in sight.

A night that turned travel plans upside down

It started as an ordinary evening, but as the night wore on, emergency services reported the tunnel was fully ablaze. Thankfully, everyone managed to get out, and there are no reports of serious injuries. That's the one silver lining in this chaos. But here's the problem: the Raudhammar Tunnel is right in the thick of things on the E6, and when it closes, it literally cuts Norway in two.

We're not just talking about a few hours' delay. We're talking about people who were planning to cross the county border now having to make entirely different choices. Several travellers have already had to turn around in the dead of night, with no idea if they'll even reach their destination today.

The detour that takes 17 hours

Let me break it down for you. This isn't a little detour you'd take to pop over to the local servo for an ice cream. This is a massive, massive diversion. For some, it means driving through Sweden. For others, like the transport industry, the numbers are brutal.

• Normal route: Just a few minutes through the tunnel.
• Current detour: Several hundred extra kilometres.
• Time loss: Rumours are already circulating about truckies who've clocked up over 180 kilometres just trying to find a way through, now facing an alternate route that for some will mean up to an extra 17 hours on the road.

Yes, you read that right. 17 hours. That's nearly an entire extra day in the car. This isn't just a logistics stuff-up; it's a nightmare for anyone relying on freight deliveries, and not least for families heading off on holiday or trying to get home to their loved ones.

Who was behind the wheel?

In situations like this, the rumours start flying. Word is there's already speculation about who was driving that bus. Was it a scheduled service? A tourist coach? The reality is that emergency services are working flat out to get the fire under control and identify everyone involved. Right now, the focus is on cleaning up the scene, but I know a lot of people are sitting at home wondering: was it someone I know? It's a small world in Northern Norway, and when something this dramatic happens right in the middle of our shared infrastructure, it hits home for all of us.

What should you do now?

If you're planning to hit the road today, you'll need to be patient. Always check the traffic updates before you drive, but be prepared – there's no simple shortcut here. The Raudhammar Tunnel won't be opening any time soon. Fire crews need to make the tunnel safe, and the road itself has to be inspected for damage.

I've seen plenty of tunnel closures over the years, but when an incident happens right on the E6 in Sørfold, it really drives home how vulnerable this stretch of bitumen is. Pack extra food, water, and patience in the car. It's going to be a long day for many, and I'm sure we'll hear more stories from people who've had to bunker down at rest stops overnight.

Light at the end of the tunnel?

It's easy to get frustrated when the main highway is closed. But remember, the crews working inside that tunnel right now are doing a tough job under dangerous conditions. At this stage, we don't know much about when traffic will be allowed through again. I'm keeping a close eye on updates from the emergency services, and the moment there's confirmation that the road is safe, I promise I'll let you know.

Until then: drive safely, tackle the detour with a good attitude, and feel free to stop in at the local servos along the diversion routes – I'm sure they could use a boost today.