Urgent situations. - Landslide causes ICE train carriages to derail, no one harmed.
An ICE train with 185 passengers derailed in the Baden-Württemberg town of Schwaebisch Gmuend due to a landslide. Luckily, no one was injured. The passengers were evacuated from the train and spent the night in a nearby kindergarten. They were later transported to Plüderhausen by bus.
The incident occurred around 11:20 p.m. when the first two carriages of the train left the tracks. The landslide, which was about 30 meters wide, didn't cause the carriages to overturn.
Initially, there was a report of a regional train with 60 passengers and one carriage being hit by the landslide. But it was later confirmed that the ICE 510 train, which was rerouted between Ulm and Stuttgart because of flooding in southern Germany, was the one affected.
The landslide disrupted both the county road and the railway line, causing a car to also be hit. Fortunately, its driver remained unscathed. The town of Schwaebisch Gmuend is around 50 kilometers east of Stuttgart and experienced heavy rain in the area.
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The emergency services were alerted immediately upon hearing about the derailment. Despite the traffic disruption caused by the incident, emergency vehicles managed to reach the scene promptly. The weather in Baden-Württemberg has been unpredictable lately, with heavy rain and flooding in several areas.
The ICE train's engines were detached from the derailed wagons, preventing any further accidents on the railroad. The German railways (Deutsche Bahn) have announced that alternative transportation will be provided for affected passengers, including buses and local trains.
The town of Schwäbisch Gmünd has been preparing for emergencies, setting up temporary shelters and organizing relief efforts in case of weather-related incidents. The German government has pledged its support in helping the affected communities recover from the recent weather catastrophes.
The trains in Germany have been affected by several incidents recently. Just a week ago, an ICE train had to slow down due to debris on the tracks caused by a storm. Recently, a freight train derailed in Lower Saxony, causing minor damages but no injuries.
The German Weather Service has issued warnings of potential landslides and flooding in certain areas across the country, advising residents to stay alert and take necessary precautions. Until further notice, highway closures and railroad delays are expected in areas prone to emergencies.
