1882 sees the opening of the Gotthard tunnel from Göschenen to Airolo. In total, 199 workers are killed building it. Nineteen lose their lives during the construction of the Gotthard road tunnel that opens in 1980, while nine perish working on the 2016 Gotthard Base Tunnel, which is much longer. Working conditions in tunnel construction have improved immeasurably over the last 150 years or so. The medical care available to those injured in accidents is also vastly better.

« The wretchedness of the accommodation
set up for the workers is indeed beyond all
description. »