A passenger train derailed in southwestern Germany after heavy rainfall caused a sewage system failure, leading to a deadly landslide near the tracks. Authorities confirmed three fatalities—including the train driver, a rail employee, and a passenger—while 41 others sustained injuries.
The accident occurred Sunday evening between Riedlingen and Munderkingen, near Stuttgart, when the train was traveling from Sigmaringen to Ulm. Investigators believe excessive rainfall overwhelmed a sewage shaft, destabilizing the embankment and sending debris onto the rails. At least two carriages overturned in a wooded area, trapping passengers inside.
Emergency crews worked through the night to free those injured, with images from the scene showing overturned train cars and fallen trees obstructing rescue efforts. The rail line remains closed as cleanup operations begin, and authorities continue to assess the full extent of the damage.
Officials expressed condolences to the victims’ families, while rail operator Deutsche Bahn pledged support for those affected. The cause of the sewage system failure remains under investigation, with questions arising about infrastructure maintenance amid extreme weather conditions.
The incident has renewed discussions about railway safety in flood-prone regions, as climate-related disruptions increasingly strain transportation networks.
