Long investigation into accident involving ICE and Regio expected
Following the train accident involving an ICE and a regional train between Hamburg and Bremen, the Federal Police are expecting a lengthy investigation. "We are investigating every possible form of human and technical error," said a police spokesman on Thursday morning. The Bremen Federal Police Inspectorate and the Federal Bureau of Railway Accident Investigation (BEU) based in Bonn are initially responsible.
On Wednesday afternoon, an ICE train carrying around 550 people rammed into a regional train on the route. According to the police, there were no injuries, but the two trains were so badly damaged by the incident in Lauenbrück that they were no longer roadworthy.
The unoccupied regional train had reportedly been standing on a switch when the ICE hit it at 50 kilometers per hour, despite emergency braking. Pictures showed the destroyed front end of both trains. The railroad line was initially closed in the area. The regional train operator Metronom set up a replacement bus service for its passengers.
The lengthy investigation into the accident on the railroad between Hamburg and Bremen is focusing on potential causes, including human and technical errors. Due to the damage, both trains were no longer suitable for traffic.
Source: www.dpa.com
