Mourning tributes marked with candles and roses honor the victims of the tragic train collision
A tragic train accident occurred in Germany on July 27, 2025, near Zwiefaltendorf, claiming the lives of three people and injuring 36 others, some severely. The regional passenger train derailed due to a storm-induced landslide, causing two carriages to derail in a forested area.
The accident occurred around 6:10 p.m. local time, with about 100 passengers on board. The cause of the derailment is currently under investigation, but authorities believe a landslide triggered by heavy rain and associated flooding was the primary cause. Specifically, heavy rainfall led to a sewage shaft overflowing, which probably set off the landslide along the railway embankment where the accident occurred. There was no indication of external factors contributing to the crash.
The memorial service for the victims was held in the church of Münster Unserer Lieben Frau in Zwiefalten (district of Reutlingen). The service was fully packed, with representatives from the rescue services, police, fire brigade, and crisis intervention laying red roses at the altar. The flowers from the memorial service were placed in a vase on the floor.
Richard Lutz, CEO of Deutsche Bahn AG, was among those present at the memorial service. Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder (CDU), Baden-Württemberg's Minister-President Winfried Kretschmann (Greens), and Baden-Württemberg's Transport Minister Winfried Hermann (Greens) also attended. The ecumenical service was led by Bishops Klaus Krämer and Ernst-Wilhelm Gohl of the Evangelical Church in Württemberg.
Federal Transport Minister Schnieder expressed condolences to the bereaved families on behalf of the federal government, describing the accident as "speechless" and "cruel." Landesbischof Ernst-Wilhelm Gohl of the Evangelical Church in Württemberg expressed his feelings about the train accident, describing it as "like a bad dream."
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also expressed condolences on social media, and the national railway operator Deutsche Bahn is cooperating with investigators. Rescue operations included sealing off the area and evacuating passengers, with photos showing derailed carriages lying on their sides and rescuers working at the scene.
Mobility, according to Schnieder, comes with uncertainties. The authorities are investigating the train accident to improve safety. The relatives of the victims did not wish to make a public statement after the service in the nearby parish office, where they met with Richard Lutz.
The memorial service was broadcast live by SWR television, with the church of Münster Unserer Lieben Frau in Zwiefalten serving as a sombre reminder of the tragic event that took place in the region. The resilience of the rescue workers, who responded to the train accident with incredible dedication, was also acknowledged during the service.
[1] BBC News [2] Deutsche Welle [3] The Local Germany [4] Reuters
- The tragic train accident, which claimed three lives and injured 36 others, is now under investigation by authorities and is being covered by various news outlets such as BBC News, Deutsche Welle, The Local Germany, and Reuters, with a focus on the general-news, politics, crime-and-justice, and accidents categories.
- Federal ministers, including Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder, Winfried Kretschmann (Greens), and Winfried Hermann (Greens), attended the memorial service held at the church of Münster Unserer Lieben Frau in Zwiefalten, where they offered condolences and acknowledged the resilience of the rescue workers, addressing this event in the realm of politics and general-news.
