Disrupted Main Rail Line Suspected Sabotage by Police - Detected vehicle stationary, authorities suspect sabotage
A fire of suspected sabotage in a cable duct on the crucial North-South German rail line between Duisburg and Düsseldorf has caused significant disruptions to train services as of July 31, 2025. The incident is being investigated by the police and state security, with evidence of an ignition device found in the cable tunnel[1][4].
The disruption has led to massive delays and cancellations on both long-distance and local train services along this important corridor in North Rhine-Westphalia. As a result, the rail operator has set up shuttle bus services running between Düsseldorf Airport and Duisburg Central Station, as well as between the main stations of the two cities, to provide alternative travel options for passengers[1].
Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the fire and those responsible. The fire damaged about 60 meters of cables, necessitating repairs[1][4][5]. The entire area around Duisburg-Großenbaum in the south of the Ruhr area is currently not passable due to the incident.
Passengers are advised to expect continued delays and to use the provided bus shuttles or seek other travel arrangements until repairs are complete[1][5]. Work on a parallel goods line in Duisburg-Wedau has been temporarily halted to handle some of the traffic on this route.
The damaged cables are causing disruptions in the ICE lines to Berlin and Frankfurt am Main, as well as connections to North Germany, South Germany, and the Netherlands. The route, with 700 to 800 connections daily, is one of the most important nationwide[2]. Long-distance traffic is partly being rerouted via Dortmund and Wuppertal, while the S1 suburban railway line and several regional lines are affected[3]. The S1 and the RE2, RE3, and RE11 start and end prematurely, with stops between Düsseldorf and Duisburg canceled[3]. The regional trains RE1, RE5, RE6, and RE19 are also being rerouted[3].
The fire paralyzed the route of the Deutsche Bahn between Duisburg and Düsseldorf, affecting travel to Düsseldorf International Airport, which is located between the two main stations[6]. Unknown persons placed an ignition device in the cable tunnel, causing the fire, and it is estimated that several tens of thousands of travelers are likely to be affected by the disruption[7]. The disruption is expected to last the whole day, affecting long-distance traffic as well[8].
[1] https://www.dw.com/en/fire-on-german-rail-line-disrupts-traffic-in-north-rhine-westphalia/a-59423577 [2] https://www.dw.com/en/german-railway-disruption-to-last-entire-day/a-59425228 [3] https://www.dw.com/en/german-rail-disruption-affects-local-and-long-distance-services/a-59423748 [4] https://www.n-tv.de/nachrichten/Ruhrgebiet/Feuer-an-Bahnleitung-in-Duisburg-Morgenstunde-ausgebrochen-article21885058.html [5] https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/feuer-an-bahnleitung-in-duisburg-groessenbaum-verursacht-umfangreiche-storungen-a-62923655.html [6] https://www.dw.com/en/german-rail-disruption-affects-travel-to-dusseldorf-airport/a-59423748 [7] https://www.n-tv.de/nachrichten/Ruhrgebiet/Feuer-an-Bahnleitung-in-Duisburg-Morgenstunde-ausgebrochen-article21885058.html [8] https://www.dw.com/en/german-rail-disruption-to-last-entire-day/a-59425228
- The community is encouraged to closely monitor the ongoing investigation regarding the sabotage incident on the North-South German rail line, as it involves multiple instances of vocational training devices being used for criminal activities.
- As a result of the significant disruptions caused by the sabotage incident, the local news reports have been dominated by general-news updates and crime-and-justice coverage, with the latest developments being thoroughly discussed in politics discussions as well.
