Three Dead, Dozens Injured as German Train Derails After Sewage Overflow Triggers Landslide
A tragic train derailment in southwest Germany has left three people dead and 41 injured after heavy rainfall triggered a sewage overflow and subsequent landslide, authorities confirmed on Sunday.
The regional passenger train was traveling between Sigmaringen and Ulm when it derailed near the towns of Riedlingen and Munderkingen in Baden-Württemberg around 6:10 p.m. local time (17:10 BST).
According to police authorities, the deluge overwhelmed a sewage shaft, causing it to overflow and destabilize an embankment alongside the railway track.
Among the deceased were the train driver, a railway employee, and one passenger, local prosecutors confirmed. Emergency responders described the scene as chaotic, with two carriages flipped onto their sides in a forested area and around 100 passengers onboard at the time of the incident.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed his condolences, stating on social media: “We mourn the victims of this tragic accident. My deepest sympathies go out to their families.” He also pledged federal support for local emergency services and is reportedly in close coordination with the ministers of interior and transport.
Images from the scene showed a massive emergency response with fire crews, medics, and police working into the night to free trapped passengers. Downed trees and mud from the landslide further complicated rescue efforts.
Deutsche Bahn, the national rail operator, described the event as “devastating,” adding, “Our thoughts and sympathies are with the victims and everyone affected by this tragic event.”
Rail traffic on the affected route has been suspended until further notice, and the derailment site remains under police investigation. Clean-up operations are expected to begin Monday, though authorities warned of continued delays amid ongoing weather risks.
This marks one of the most serious train accidents in Germany in recent years and has renewed scrutiny over the impact of extreme weather events on critical infrastructure.
