Three people have been killed and several others injured after a regional passenger train derailed in southwestern Germany on Sunday evening, according to police. The accident occurred at 6.10pm local time near the town of Riedlingen in Baden-Württemberg state, with around 100 passengers on board.
Police initially reported four fatalities but later corrected the figure to three. Authorities declined to provide further details on the number of injuries or their severity. German rail operator Deutsche Bahn confirmed multiple deaths and numerous injuries, stating that two carriages had derailed for reasons yet unknown.
Investigations into the cause are ongoing, with German media suggesting a landslide may have been responsible, as severe storms had swept through the region. The train was travelling from Sigmaringen to Ulm when it derailed in a forested area. Traffic on the route has been suspended over a 40-kilometre stretch.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed condolences to the families of the victims on social media, adding that he was in close contact with the interior and transport ministers to ensure emergency services receive all necessary support. Footage from the scene showed train carriages lying on their sides, with firefighters and emergency crews working to reach passengers. Helicopters transported the injured to local hospitals.
The accident highlights ongoing concerns about Germany's ageing rail infrastructure, which has faced frequent criticism for delays and technical issues. The government has pledged significant investment in modernisation. This incident follows a similar derailment in June 2022 near a Bavarian Alpine resort that killed four people. Germany's deadliest rail disaster remains the 1998 Eschede high-speed train derailment, which claimed 101 lives.
