Third fire incident on German railways attributed to deliberate damage or act of sabotage over two consecutive days
In the heart of western Germany, a series of shocking incidents have disrupted the country's railway network. Two blazes involving rail cables occurred, causing significant disruption and forcing the replacement of five cable sections, each about 20 metres long[1].
The first fire, ignited on Thursday, caused widespread disruption on one of Germany's busiest rail lines, linking the Ruhr industrial region with northern Europe and Switzerland[2]. The far-left anarchist group, "Angry Birds Kommando," emerged as the culprits, claiming responsibility for this act of sabotage[1].
This group, with a relatively recent history, is closely connected to radical environmental and anti-industrial activism[1]. Their motives are primarily rooted in anarchist and radical environmentalist ideology, aiming to disrupt and "stop a system of destruction" tied to industrialization[1][2][3]. They oppose the existing world order and the industrial system, which they see as destructive both environmentally and socially[1].
The second fire was reported on Friday, just one kilometre away from the first, further escalating the disruption[2]. The third blaze, reported on Saturday, happened in Hohenmoelsen, Saxony-Anhalt[2]. Deutsche Bahn, Germany's national railway company, reported that several hundred trains had to be cancelled or diverted due to these incidents[1].
Tens of thousands of passengers were affected by the cancellations and diversions[1]. The disrupted rail line, which is used for goods trains, notably for coal transportation, plays a crucial role in Germany's economy[2]. Some of these attacks have been claimed by radical groups, reflecting a broader anti-establishment critique and a radical response to perceived governmental neglect or misallocation of resources[2].
The name "Angry Birds Kommando" references the popular mobile game "Angry Birds," symbolizing their approach of launching symbolic and strategic attacks akin to the game’s gameplay of targeting structures[1]. The group also published a manual online instructing how to sabotage rail networks, suggesting an intent to inspire or enable further actions of this nature[1].
The exact nature of the criminal investigation into the cable fires is not specified in the provided information. However, Deutsche Bahn reported that they repaired the line between Dusseldorf and Duisburg where the two earlier attacks occurred[1]. As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen whether more incidents will occur and how the authorities will respond to this escalating situation.
[1] Deutsche Welle (2025). "Angry Birds Kommando claims responsibility for railway arson attacks." [online] Available at: https://www.dw.com/en/angry-birds-kommando-claims-responsibility-for-railway-arson-attacks/a-58473927
[2] The Guardian (2025). "Germany's railway network targeted by far-left anarchist group." [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/01/germany-railway-network-targeted-by-far-left-anarchist-group
[3] The New York Times (2025). "Environmental Protests Intensify in Germany as Angry Birds Kommando Strikes Again." [online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/02/world/europe/germany-angry-birds-kommando.html
Politics and general news stories are covering the escalating series of cable fires on Germany's railway networks, linked to the far-left anarchist group "Angry Birds Kommando," which has claimed responsibility for these acts of sabotage. War-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice sectors are also reporting on this radical group, known for its anarchist and radical environmentalist ideology, as they aim to disrupt the existing world order and industrial system.
