The train was en route between Sigmaringen and Ulm, a 90-kilometer journey, according to the police, when the landslide led to the derailment of at least two carriages. About 100 people were aboard at the time of the accident. It was around 18:10 local time (17:10 BST) when the collision happened in woodland.
Casualties and Ongoing Response
The fatalities consist of the train operator, a rail worker, and a passenger. In addition to the three people who died, 41 were injured, with a few in serious condition. Emergency services rushed to the scene, and images from it showed carriages on their side, with fallen trees and emergency workers trying to reach people trapped.
German Chancellor Freidrich Merz said he felt sad for the victims and expressed condolences to the bereaved families. He said he was in frequent contact with the interior and transport ministers and urged full support for the emergency teams dealing with the crisis.
Investigation and Clean-Up
Both the Federal Police and local police in Ulm have confirmed that the cause of the crash is still under investigation. The section of the railroad line where the trains derailed is closed, and rail traffic has been shut down. On Monday, the clean-up will begin.
The train's operator, Deutsche Bahn, also wrote that they were mourning with the victims and everyone whose life was upended by the grim accident.
