At Least 3 Killed, Dozens Injured in Southern Germany Train Derailment

July-28-2025, 16:35 EDT

A regional train derailed in southern Germany on Sunday, killing at least three people and injuring several others. The incident occurred near the town of Riedlingen in Baden-Württemberg, prompting an emergency response and an investigation into whether severe weather contributed to the tragedy.

Derailment occurs in forested area near Riedlingen

The derailment took place around 6:10 p.m. local time (1610 GMT) on July 27, 2025. The train, which was carrying approximately 100 passengers, was traveling through a forested stretch of track about 98 miles (158 kilometers) west of Munich when at least two carriages left the rails and overturned.

Images from the crash site showed train cars lying on their sides while emergency responders climbed onto the wreckage to assist those trapped or injured.

German federal and local authorities responded quickly to the scene, where firefighters, police officers, and rescue teams worked through the evening to secure the area and treat victims.

Casualties and injuries confirmed by authorities

Police confirmed that at least three people lost their lives in the derailment. Several others were reported to have sustained serious injuries, although the exact number of injured passengers has not yet been made public.

Given the number of people on board and the extent of damage to the train carriages, officials expect the number of injured to rise. Local hospitals in the region, including in Riedlingen and nearby cities such as Ulm and Biberach, were placed on alert to receive patients.

Weather possibly linked to crash, say officials

While the exact cause of the derailment remains under investigation, early reports suggest that heavy rainfall and a potential landslide may have played a role.

“There have been heavy rains here, so it cannot be ruled out that the heavy rain and a related landslide accident may have been the cause,” said Thomas Strobl, interior minister for the state of Baden-Württemberg. “However, this is currently the subject of ongoing investigations.”

Germany has experienced unstable summer weather in recent days, with intense storms and flooding reported across parts of the country. Investigators are expected to examine soil conditions, drainage systems, and rail stability in the affected area.

Chancellor Merz, Deutsche Bahn respond to tragedy

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz issued a statement on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), expressing sorrow for the victims and their families. “I mourn with the relatives of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to those injured,” Merz wrote.

Deutsche Bahn, Germany’s national railway operator, confirmed in a public statement that it is fully cooperating with the authorities and supporting the investigation.

“We are deeply saddened by this tragic incident,” the company said. “Our thoughts are with the families of the victims and those injured. We are working with local responders and experts to understand the cause of the derailment.”

Emergency services continue recovery and repair

As of Monday morning, emergency services remained at the site of the derailment to oversee cleanup operations and assess rail damage. Investigators from Germany’s Federal Railway Authority (Eisenbahn-Bundesamt) have also been deployed to lead the technical review.

Authorities are expected to inspect the affected section of track for structural issues and signs of a landslide, particularly as the train passed through a heavily forested and sloped area.

Rail services in the surrounding region have been suspended or rerouted, and Deutsche Bahn has set up an emergency contact line for families of those who may have been aboard the train.

Rail safety and infrastructure under renewed scrutiny

This accident has renewed questions about the resilience of Germany’s rail infrastructure, particularly in the face of extreme weather. In recent years, climate change has intensified storms across Central Europe, leading to more frequent disruptions to rail and road networks.

Although Germany’s railway system is generally considered safe and modern, incidents such as this derailment highlight the need for ongoing investment in weather-resilient infrastructure, early warning systems, and slope monitoring technology.

Recent derailments in Germany and Europe

While rare, train derailments in Germany and elsewhere in Europe have occasionally led to fatalities and prompted changes in policy or rail design.

In 2022, a train derailed in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Bavaria, killing five people and injuring dozens. That incident was later attributed to track defects and prompted rail authorities to initiate safety upgrades.

European Union transportation officials have also called for increased coordination between national railway operators and environmental monitoring agencies to better anticipate climate-related disruptions.

Ongoing investigation expected to take weeks

The full investigation into the Riedlingen derailment is expected to take several weeks. Authorities will analyze black box data, track conditions, weather patterns, and train performance records to determine the chain of events that led to the tragedy.

For now, the priority remains on caring for the injured, supporting victims’ families, and restoring the affected section of railway as safely and efficiently as possible.