Passenger train derails in Germany, leaving three dead and dozens injured
At least three people have died and over 50 others were injured after a passenger train carrying around 100 passengers derailed in southwestern Germany, according to a report by Al Jazeera.
The accident occurred on Sunday evening in a forested area near the town of Riedlingen, in the Baden-Württemberg state, approximately 158 kilometers (98 miles) west of Munich.
Charlotte Ziller, the district fire chief, confirmed that the victims included the train’s driver and a Deutsche Bahn employee. Of the 50 people injured, 25 are reported to be in serious condition.
Germany’s state-owned rail operator, Deutsche Bahn, said two carriages derailed “for reasons yet unknown,” and that services along a 40-kilometer (25-mile) stretch of the route have been suspended as investigations continue.
Authorities are examining whether severe weather conditions in the region contributed to the crash. Baden-Württemberg’s Interior Minister, Thomas Strobl, noted that heavy rainfall and the possibility of a landslide are being considered as potential causes.
“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,” Strobl stated. “However, this is currently the subject of ongoing investigations.”
The train had been traveling from Sigmaringen to Ulm when it derailed.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed his condolences to the families of the victims via social media.
This report is based on coverage originally published by Al Jazeera.
