"Tragic accident": Train derails resulting in fatalities due to a slip
Heavy Rain Causes Deadly Train Derailment in Baden-Württemberg
A tragic incident occurred on July 27, 2025, when a passenger train derailed near Riedlingen, in the Biberach district of Baden-Württemberg. The accident, which took place at around 6:10 PM, was likely caused by heavy rain that led to a landslide near the tracks.
The train, RE 55, was traveling from Sigmaringen to Ulm, carrying approximately 100 passengers. The intense rainfall, reported to be up to 30-40 liters per square meter in some areas, caused a sewer to overflow and a slope adjacent to the tracks to collapse, spilling mud and debris onto the railway line. As a result, two carriages derailed and toppled down an embankment.
The impact of the accident was devastating. Three people, including the train driver and a rail employee, lost their lives, and over 40 others were injured, with many requiring hospitalization at Ulm University Hospital. Emergency services, including firefighters, police, and emergency medical services, responded quickly to the scene.
Farmer Johannes Figel was one of the first at the scene. He recounted the incident as "terrible" and described how he helped by removing two trees that the train had hit and uprooted to aid emergency services. Due to the number of injured, Mr. Figel was asked to stay up high to avoid further complications.
The district fire chief, Charlotte Ziller, oversaw the rescue operations. Investigations into the exact sequence of events are ongoing, with authorities examining the train’s onboard data and environmental factors to understand all contributing factors and prevent future incidents.
Meteorologist Dominik Smieskol from the German Weather Service made a statement regarding the severe thunderstorms that passed over the region in the early evening hours. He confirmed that the heavy rain was a significant factor in the landslide that caused the derailment.
Local infrastructure was significantly disrupted as a result of the accident. The derailment disrupted the regional rail service, and investigations and recovery operations are still ongoing.
"Der Spiegel" interviewed Mr. Figel about the incident, and he shared his harrowing experience in detail. The accident site is approximately 45 kilometers southeast of Ulm, and the community continues to mourn the loss of life and pray for the recovery of the injured.
Investigations remain ongoing to understand all contributing factors and prevent future incidents. The tragic derailment serves as a reminder of the power of nature and the importance of safety measures in place for public transportation.
More general-news articles are likely to be reported about the ongoing investigations into the train derailment in Baden-Württemberg, focusing on the possibility of increased crime-and-justice measures for rail employees or companies found negligent. Meanwhile, local weather reports have shown an increase in severe storms across the region, suggesting a need for more immediate and comprehensive weather-related accident prevention strategies.
