Three people died and many others were injured when a regional passenger train derailed in a wooded area in southwestern Germany on Sunday evening. According to police, the accident happened around 6:10 p.m. near Riedlingen, in the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg.

Around 100 People Were on Board

At the time of the crash, approximately 100 passengers were traveling on the train. Two of its carriages went off the tracks, though the cause remains unknown. Emergency responders rushed to the scene immediately after the accident.

While officials have not released the exact number of injuries, German newspaper Bild reported that nearly 50 people were hurt, quoting emergency services.

Rail Operator Confirms Casualties and Investigation

Deutsche Bahn, Germany’s national rail operator, confirmed the fatalities and said several people were injured. The company also announced that an investigation had begun to determine what led to the derailment. As a result, train services were suspended across a 40-kilometre section of the route.

The train was on its way from Sigmaringen to Ulm when the derailment occurred. Some media outlets have suggested that a landslide, possibly caused by recent severe storms, might be responsible. However, this has not yet been confirmed by authorities.

Chancellor Expresses Condolences

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz offered his condolences to the families of the victims through social media. He also shared that he was in contact with senior officials to make sure emergency workers received full government support.

Major Rescue Operation at the Scene

Videos and photos from the crash site showed yellow and grey carriages overturned in a forested area. Firefighters and rescue teams worked to reach passengers trapped inside. Helicopters were used to transport the injured to nearby hospitals, while local medical teams also rushed in to help.

Rail Safety and Infrastructure Concerns

Germany’s rail system has often been criticised for its ageing infrastructure and frequent service delays. In response, the government has promised to invest significantly in modernising the railway network.

A History of Rail Tragedies

This latest derailment adds to a list of rail accidents in Germany. In June 2022, another train crashed near a Bavarian Alpine resort, killing four people. The country’s worst rail disaster occurred in 1998, in Eschede, where a high-speed train crash claimed 101 lives.