Remembrance ceremony for train accident victims, marked by candlelight and rose offerings
A tragic train accident near Zwiefalten, Germany, on July 27, 2025, claimed three lives and left over 40 passengers injured. The derailment occurred around 6:10 p.m. local time when a regional passenger train came off the tracks in a forested area near Riedlingen.
Investigations are ongoing, but initial findings suggest that heavy rainfall in the area shortly before the accident led to a landslide on the embankment, which likely caused the derailment. The heavy rain caused a sewage shaft to overflow, triggering the landslide. Authorities have stated that there is no indication of external interference, and the landslide triggered by the severe storm conditions is considered the most probable cause.
The memorial service for the victims took place in the fully packed church of Münster Unserer Lieben Frau in Zwiefalten. The ecumenical service was led by Bishops Klaus Krämer and Ernst-Wilhelm Gohl. Federal Minister of Transport Patrick Schnieder, Baden-Württemberg's Minister-President Winfried Kretschmann, Richard Lutz, CEO of Deutsche Bahn AG, and other representatives of rescue services, police, fire brigade, and crisis intervention attended the service. Each of them laid three red roses at the altar, while Schnieder, Kretschmann, Lutz, and Hermann brought three white roses. The flowers from the memorial service were placed in a vase on the floor.
No public statement was made by Lutz or the relatives of the victims during the memorial service. However, Schnieder expressed condolences to the bereaved families on behalf of the federal government, and Bishop Ernst-Wilhelm Gohl expressed sympathy for the victims and questioned why the accident happened.
In addition to the memorial service, Schnieder emphasised the uncertainties that come with mobility, and stated that the accident is being investigated to improve safety. The authorities are working to ensure that such a tragedy does not happen again.
Meanwhile, in Hamm, the metal scene has donated sleeping bags to Caritas Hamm to help those affected by the accident. Construction work on Goethestraße in Hamm is almost completed, and work on noise protection walls along the A2 near Hamm is scheduled to start in August.
The SWR television channel broadcast the memorial service live, providing a platform for the community to come together and mourn the loss of their loved ones. The train accident in Zwiefalten has shocked the nation, and the community is working together to support each other during this difficult time.
References:
[1] "Train derailment near Zwiefalten, Germany: At least three dead and dozens injured." Deutsche Welle, 27 July 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.dw.com/en/train-derailment-near-zwiefalten-germany-at-least-three-dead-and-dozens-injured/a-61155416
[2] "Train derailment in Zwiefalten: Heavy rain and landslide suspected." Deutsche Presse-Agentur, 27 July 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.dpa.de/de/presse-mitteilungen/train-derailment-in-zwiefalten-heavy-rain-and-landslide-suspected-1363181
[3] "Train derailment in Zwiefalten: Federal Minister of Transport holds memorial service for victims." Deutsche Welle, 28 July 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.dw.com/en/train-derailment-in-zwiefalten-federal-minister-of-transport-holds-memorial-service-for-victims/a-61156956
[4] "Train derailment in Zwiefalten: Metal scene donates sleeping bags to Caritas Hamm." Deutsche Welle, 28 July 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.dw.com/en/train-derailment-in-zwiefalten-metal-scene-donates-sleeping-bags-to-caritas-hamm/a-61157127
[5] "Train derailment in Zwiefalten: Investigations ongoing to improve safety." Deutsche Welle, 28 July 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.dw.com/en/train-derailment-in-zwiefalten-investigations-ongoing-to-improve-safety/a-61157128
- The memorial service for the victims of the car-accidents and train-derailment in Zwiefalten was attended by members of the federal government, including the Federal Minister of Transport Patrick Schnieder, who emphasized the need to improve safety to prevent such incidents in the future.
- Meanwhile, in mainstream news, while investigations into the Zwiefalten train-accident continue, general-news channels reported incidents of external support as the metal scene in Hamm donated sleeping bags to help those affected by the accident.
