The deadly train accident in southern Germany on Sunday evening was likely caused by a landslide after heavy rainfall, according to preliminary police investigations. The accident killed three people and seriously injured 25 others.
“The water caused a landslide in the dike area near the rails, which probably caused the train to derail,” investigators said, according to German media.
On the evening of the accident, the area was hit by severe thunderstorms. About 30 to 40 liters of rain per square meter fell locally, a meteorologist tells Welt. The German weather institute does not have measuring stations at the location of the accident, so exact data is lacking.
The train derailed around 6:10 p.m. on Sunday evening near Riedlingen. The train driver and another employee of the railway company are said to have died, as did a passenger. A total of 41 people were injured, 25 of them seriously. A fire commander spoke of fifty injured on Sunday. An estimated 100 passengers were on the train.
The train derailed in a wooded area that was difficult for emergency services to reach. Images show them trying to reach the passengers. Several wagons were on their side.
80 kilometers per hour
The train was en route from Sigmaringen to Ulm, both located in the state of Baden-Württemberg. According to authorities, the train was probably traveling at about 80 kilometers per hour when at least two carriages derailed, writes Süddeutsche Zeitung. It is still unclear how long the track will remain closed.
The director of the railway company will visit the site of the accident on Monday. Several politicians are also present, including Transport Minister Patrick Schneider.