Tragedy struck southwest Germany as two carriages of a Deutsche Bahn train derailed near Zwiefaltendorf. A possible landslide linked to a thunderstorm may be the cause.
BY PC Bureau
July 28, 2025: A tragic train accident occurred in the southwestern German state of Baden-Württemberg on Sunday, July 27, 2025, at approximately 6:10 PM local time (1710 GMT) in the Biberach district, near the town of Riedlingen, roughly 12 miles from the French border and 98 miles west of Munich. A Deutsche Bahn regional express train (RE55), traveling from Sigmaringen to Ulm on a 90 km (55-mile) route, derailed in a forested area near Zwiefaltendorf, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries.
According to reports, at least three people were killed, and 34 others were injured, with three of those injuries classified as serious. Approximately 100 passengers were on board when two carriages of the train derailed, with the front of the train veering to the left, being flung about five meters up a wooded embankment, and crashing into trees. Photos and videos from the scene depict a chaotic aftermath, with yellow-and-grey carriages overturned, some lying on their sides amidst underbrush and fallen trees, and rescuers using specialized equipment to access trapped passengers. Screams were audible in footage, underscoring the panic that ensued.
Train crash in Germany costs many lives.
Instead of fixing the problematic railway infrastructure, Germany is spending money on Ukraine and climate change.
Track quality at Riedlingen was weak and bad weather caused the derailment. It was all preventable.
No money was spent. pic.twitter.com/GK0bIqHYrX
— Alternative News (@AlternatNews) July 27, 2025
Emergency services, including firefighters, paramedics, police, and railway officials, responded swiftly, with over 1,000 rescue workers deployed. The Reutlingen control center declared a “mass casualty incident” due to the high number of injuries, necessitating extensive medical and rescue operations. Baden-Württemberg’s Interior Minister Thomas Strobl visited the site to assess the rescue efforts, while Minister-President Winfried Kretschmann expressed shock, stating, “My deepest condolences go out to the families of the victims.”
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The cause of the derailment remains under investigation by federal police and Deutsche Bahn, Germany’s national railway operator. Initial reports suggest a possible landslide, with debris on the tracks, as a contributing factor, potentially exacerbated by a severe thunderstorm in the area shortly before the accident. A local resident noted the storm’s intensity, which may have played a role in destabilizing the tracks.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, in a statement on X, expressed his grief, saying, “I mourn the victims and offer my deepest sympathy to their families. I am in close contact with the Interior and Transport Ministers and have requested they provide emergency services with all necessary support.” Deutsche Bahn confirmed the derailment on X, noting that the situation was still unclear, and the railway line between Riedlingen and Munderkingen was closed due to the accident.
This incident adds to a history of notable rail accidents in Germany, though it is less severe than the 1998 Eschede disaster, which killed 101 people due to a wheel fatigue crack. The ongoing investigation will likely explore factors such as track conditions, weather impacts, and potential mechanical failures to determine the precise cause of this tragedy.
Rescue operations continue as authorities work to support survivors and investigate the circumstances of this devastating event. The public is urged to avoid the area to facilitate emergency efforts, and those with information are encouraged to contact local authorities.
