Railway line in Düsseldorf torched by unidentified arsonist for the second time - Düsseldorf experiences another blaze along its primary artery
In the past week, German authorities have been investigating a series of arson attacks on the Duisburg-Düsseldorf rail line, a vital corridor for high-speed and regional rail services. The attacks, which occurred near Düsseldorf and Duisburg, have caused significant disruptions, affecting routes to Berlin, Frankfurt am Main, northern and southern Germany, and the Netherlands.
The first fire, which took place near Düsseldorf, was set in a cable duct and caused major traffic disruptions. The cables affected were part of a signal box in Duisburg, but the fire broke out in the Düsseldorf city area. Police are treating this incident as an act of sabotage, as the cables were damaged and will require replacement.
A second arson attack struck the same rail line just two days later, but the exact location of the second fire has not been fully disclosed yet. The disruption has led to train rerouting, delays, and canceled stops, particularly on the S1 and the RE2, RE3, and RE11 trains.
Notably, a group calling itself "Commando Angry Birds" has claimed responsibility for these arson attacks via the Indymedia platform. However, official police statements focus on the sabotage investigation and have not confirmed the identities or motives of the perpetrators publicly.
Inspections following the attacks have revealed additional damage along the railway, emphasizing the severity and potential ongoing risk posed by these attacks.
In the aftermath of these incidents, Deutsche Bahn, Germany's railway operator, has been working to repair the damage and adjust services to maintain safety and connectivity. The company has set up a bus shuttle service and rerouted long-distance traffic via Dortmund and Wuppertal.
As of now, there are no indications of further incidents in the Düsseldorf area. However, the state protection department is investigating the arson attacks, and construction work on a parallel freight line in Duissburg-Wedau was temporarily suspended to handle some of the traffic.
The Duisburg-Düsseldorf line, with over 620 passenger trains daily, is one of the most frequently used rail connections in Germany. The arson attacks have disrupted both regional and long-distance traffic, including ICE lines to Berlin and Frankfurt am Main, connections to North Germany, South Germany, and the Netherlands.
The authenticity of the claim of responsibility from "Commando Angry Birds" is still being checked. Travelers have been affected, with many stranded at the main stations in Duisburg and Düsseldorf, leading to numerous train cancellations and delays.
The North-South line of Deutsche Bahn in Düsseldorf was also affected by another arson attack. Both arson attacks, on Thursday and Friday, were discovered to have been carried out simultaneously, approximately two kilometers apart.
The police suspect sabotage in the arson attack. The entire area around Duisburg-Großenbaum in the south of the Ruhr area is not passable due to the arson attacks. The investigation is ongoing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
- Given the ongoing arson attacks on the Duisburg-Düsseldorf rail line, it's crucial for EC countries to consider strengthening their vocational training programs for railway technicians, to ensure a rapid response and effective repairs in similar situations.
- Amidst the general-news of the arson attacks, the claims of responsibility from "Commando Angry Birds" were echoed through various crime-and-justice platforms, further emphasizing the need for increased security measures and vigilance along critical infrastructure such as railways.
