Passenger train derails in Germany, killing three and injuring dozens
A tragic train derailment in southern Germany has left a scene of devastation, with at least 50 people injured and several critically hurt. The incident occurred near the town of Reedingan, approximately 150 kilometers west of Munich, when at least two of the train’s four carriages came off the tracks in a heavily wooded area.
Around 100 passengers were on board when the train derailed. Authorities have declared the incident a “mass casualty event.” Emergency crews worked through the night, navigating the wreckage to search for survivors, with some rescue teams forced to climb through the mangled carriages.
Local officials confirmed that approximately one-third of the injured are in serious condition, though many suffered only minor injuries. The critically injured were transported from the scene quickly for emergency treatment.
While the cause of the crash remains unclear, officials say there are “no indications of an attack or deliberate assault.” Authorities are investigating whether recent severe storms may have played a role. Heavy rainfall passed through the region shortly before the crash, raising the possibility that environmental factors contributed to the derailment.
An eyewitness described hearing a loud explosion shortly after storm debris was being cleared from a nearby road. “Because of the storm, mud had washed off the field. My son went to clear it, and then he heard a big bang. He saw a fallen tree and then the train — and dead bodies.”
Deutschbahn, Germany’s national railway operator, issued a statement saying it is fully cooperating with investigators. Local authorities have confirmed that all passengers have now been accounted for and the site has been secured.
As the investigation continues, questions remain about how natural conditions and rail infrastructure may have contributed to the deadly crash.
