In a tragic incident, a passenger train derailed in a wooded area in southwestern Germany on Sunday, resulting in three fatalities and multiple injuries. The train was carrying approximately 100 passengers when the accident occurred near the town of Riedlingen in the state of Baden-Württemberg. Initially, police reported four deaths, but later corrected it to three victims, without providing further information on the extent of injuries.
The railway operator, Deutsche Bahn, confirmed the incident and stated that two train carriages derailed for undisclosed reasons. Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident, and an approximate 40km stretch of the route has been closed.
Reports suggest that a landslide, triggered by severe storms in the region, may have caused the derailment. The train was traveling from Sigmaringen to Ulm when the incident occurred.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and stated that he has been in close communication with both the interior and transport ministers, instructing them to provide necessary support to emergency services.
Images from the scene show train carriages lying on their sides, while firefighters and emergency services were seen assisting passengers. Helicopters were deployed shortly after the accident to transport the injured to nearby hospitals, and emergency doctors were alerted.
Regular criticisms have been raised regarding the outdated infrastructure of Germany’s transportation system, which often leads to train delays and technical difficulties. However, the government has committed to investing substantial funds over the coming years to modernize infrastructure.
In June 2022, a similar train derailment occurred near a Bavarian Alpine resort in southern Germany, resulting in four deaths and numerous injuries. The deadliest rail accident in Germany took place in 1998 when a high-speed train operated by Deutsche Bahn derailed in Eschede, Lower Saxony, claiming the lives of 101 people.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/28/people-killed-after-train-derails-in-southern-germany
