A regional passenger train derailed in southern Germany on Sunday, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least three individuals and leaving numerous others with serious injuries, according to local authorities. The accident occurred near Riedlingen, approximately 158 kilometers (98 miles) west of Munich, as the investigation into the cause of the crash is currently underway.
The derailment took place around 6:10 p.m. (1610 GMT) in a forested area, where at least two carriages of the train went off the tracks. Eyewitnesses and photos from the scene depict a chaotic situation, with parts of the train overturned and rescuers working diligently atop the carriages to assist those trapped inside. Initial reports suggest that around 100 people were onboard the train at the time of the incident, but the exact number of injuries has yet to be confirmed.
In the wake of the tragedy, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed his condolences via a post on the social media platform X, mourning the victims and extending his sympathies to their families affected by this devastating event. Meanwhile, Deutsche Bahn, Germany's primary national railway operator, has not responded to requests for comment from The Associated Press regarding the situation as of Sunday evening.
This incident is still developing, and authorities are expected to release more information as the investigation progresses. As details continue to emerge, this story will be updated to reflect the latest findings and official statements regarding the train derailment and its aftermath.
