A tragic train derailment in a wooded area of southwestern Germany claimed the lives of three individuals yesterday, with preliminary reports suggesting it may have been triggered by an overflowing sewer, according to local police and prosecutors.
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“Initial assessments indicate that heavy rainfall in the region led to a sewage shaft overflowing,” a joint statement from Ulm police and Ravensburg prosecutors revealed. “The resultant water flow caused a landslide, which ultimately resulted in the derailment.”
At the time of the incident, approximately 100 passengers were on board when the train derailed around 6:10 PM near the town of Riedlingen in Baden-Württemberg state.
The unfortunate incident resulted in the loss of three lives, including the train’s driver and a staff member. Furthermore, a total of at least 41 people were reported injured, some with severe injuries.
As traffic remains suspended on the affected railway line, cleanup operations are set to commence tomorrow, according to preliminary reports. The investigation into this incident is ongoing, and authorities affirmed there is presently no evidence suggesting foul play or external interference with the railway.
In a heartfelt message on social media, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz extended his condolences to the bereaved families. He emphasized the importance of support for emergency services, stating, “I am in close contact with both the interior and transport ministers, urging them to provide every possible assistance to those responding to this tragedy.”
Footage from the scene depicted train carriages, painted in yellow and grey, lying on their sides as firefighters and emergency personnel worked diligently to reach the passengers. Reports from local TV station SWR noted that helicopters were deployed shortly after the incident to transport the injured to nearby hospitals, with emergency medical teams rapidly mobilized.
The German rail system has faced criticism over its aging infrastructure, with passengers often enduring train delays and various technical issues. In response to these ongoing concerns, the government has committed to investing several hundred billion euros in the upcoming years to modernize the rail system.
This incident is reminiscent of previous tragedies; for instance, in June 2022, a train derailed near a Bavarian Alpine resort, resulting in four fatalities and numerous injuries. The darkest chapter in Germany’s railway history occurred in 1998, when a high-speed train operated by Deutsche Bahn derailed in Eschede, Lower Saxony, resulting in 101 deaths.
As the investigation unfolds, our thoughts remain with the victims and their families during this challenging time.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring
