At Least Three Dead After Passenger Train Derailment Near Riedlingen, Germany

At least three people have been killed and several others seriously injured after a passenger train derailed near Riedlingen, close to Stuttgart in south-west Germany, authorities confirmed.

The incident occurred around 18:10 local time (17:10 BST) when at least two carriages of the train, carrying around 100 passengers, came off the tracks in a forested area. Deutsche Bahn, the train operator, said the cause of the derailment is currently unknown, but stormy weather had been reported in the area shortly before the crash.

Images from the scene show overturned carriages and a heavy emergency services presence, with firefighters working to reach passengers trapped inside. Fallen trees were also visible near the site.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed his condolences in a statement on X, mourning the victims and offering his deepest sympathy to the families affected. He assured that emergency services would receive all necessary support.

The train was traveling on a 90 km (55 mile) route between Sigmaringen and Ulm at the time of the derailment. Ulm police confirmed that investigations are ongoing.

Deutsche Bahn said, “The exact situation is still unclear at this time. Our thoughts and sympathies are with the victims and everyone who now has to process this experience.”