A quiet Sunday evening turned tragic in southwestern Germany when a regional express train derailed near Riedlingen, Baden-Württemberg, killing three people and injuring over 40 others.
The train, operated by Deutsche Bahn, was carrying about 100 passengers when two carriages left the tracks around 6:10 p.m. local time.
The crash site, nestled in a forested area between Zweifaltendorf and Zell, was difficult to access, forcing emergency responders to climb atop wrecked carriages to reach victims.
“There have been heavy rains here, so it cannot be ruled out that the heavy rain and a related landslide accident may have been the cause. However, this is currently the subject of ongoing investigations,” said Thomas Strobl, Interior Minister of Baden-Württemberg.
Victims and Rescue Efforts
Among the dead were the train’s 32-year-old driver, a 36-year-old apprentice, and a 70-year-old passenger.
At least 41 people were injured, with many suffering spinal and head injuries. Ulm University Hospital triggered a disaster alert, summoning over 120 staff to treat the wounded.
Rescue teams worked through the night, deploying helicopters, sniffer dogs, and heavy cranes. “Such pictures shake us to the core,” said Deutsche Bahn CEO Richard Lutz, who visited the site on Monday.
The train was en route from Sigmaringen to Ulm when it hit debris from a landslide caused by an overflowing sewage shaft. Investigators believe the train ran over the mud-covered tracks and derailed a few metres later.
Political Response and Ongoing Investigation
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz posted on X: “We mourn the victims. I express my condolences to their relatives.” He confirmed close contact with the Interior and Transport Ministers to support rescue efforts.
Deutsche Bahn has suspended traffic on the affected line and arranged replacement buses. The Federal Bureau of Railway Accident Investigation has launched a formal inquiry.
⚠️ Four people died and 34 were injured when a Deutsche Bahn regional express train, carrying approximately 100 passengers, derailed in Germany’s Biberach district… pic.twitter.com/sONbKMzDKN
— Oxomiya Jiyori 🇮🇳 (@SouleFacts) July 28, 2025
The crash has reignited concerns about Germany’s aging rail infrastructure, despite ongoing investments.
The government has pledged billions to modernise the system, but incidents like this show that nature can still overwhelm technology.
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