E6 closed indefinitely: Chaos after bus fire in Raudhammartunnelen

Ever been stuck in traffic and thought, "surely it can't get any worse"? Well, for anyone trying to travel along the E6 in Sørfold today, it did. Much worse. A bus fire inside the Raudhammartunnelen has brought this main artery to a complete halt. And when I say halt, I mean a closure with no end in sight.

A night that turned everything upside down for travellers

It started as a normal evening, but overnight, the emergency services reported the tunnel was fully ablaze. Thankfully, everyone is said to have gotten out, and there are no reports of serious injuries. That’s the silver lining in this chaos. But here's the problem: Raudhammartunnelen sits right in the heart of the E6, and when it closes, Norway is effectively cut in two. Literally.

This isn't just a matter of a few hours' delay. We're talking about people who were planning to cross the county border now having to make completely different plans. Several have had to turn back in the dead of night, with no idea if they'll even reach their destination today.

The detour that takes 17 hours

Let me put this simply. This isn't a little detour you take to pop to the local shop. This is a massive diversion. For some, it means driving through Sweden. For others, like those in the transport industry, the maths is brutal.

• Normal route: Just a few minutes through the tunnel.
• Current diversion: Several hundred extra kilometres.
• Time lost: Rumours are already circulating about lorry drivers who have been circling for over 180 kilometres just to find a way through, now facing an alternative route that for some could mean an extra 17 hours on the road.

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

Who was actually behind the wheel?

In situations like this, rumours start to fly. People are already speculating about who was driving that bus. Was it a scheduled service? A tour coach? The fact is, the emergency services are working flat out to get the cause of the fire under control and to identify everyone involved. Right now, the focus is on clearing the scene, but I know many of you are sitting at home wondering: was it someone I know? It’s a small world up north, and when something this dramatic happens right in the middle of our shared infrastructure, it affects us all.

What should you do now?

If you're heading out on the road today, you'll need to keep your cool. Always check the traffic reports before you drive, but be prepared that there’s no simple shortcut here. The Raudhammartunnelen won't be opening any time soon. The fire service needs to make the tunnel safe, and the road needs to be inspected for damage.

I've seen plenty of tunnel closures over the years, but when something goes wrong right on the E6 in Sørfold, you really get a sense of how vulnerable this stretch of tarmac is. Pack extra food, drink, and patience for the car. It's going to be a long day for many, and I'm sure we'll hear more stories from people who had to spend the night at rest stops.

Light at the end of the tunnel?

It's easy to get frustrated when the main road closes. But remember that the crews working inside that tunnel right now are doing a demanding job in dangerous conditions. We still don't know much about when traffic can get through again. I'm keeping a close eye on updates from the emergency services, and as soon as there’s confirmation that the road is safe, I promise to let you know.

Until then: drive carefully, tackle the detour with a good attitude, and maybe stop off at the local petrol stations along the diversion routes – I'm sure they could do with a bit of a boost today.