At least three people died in a train accident in Germany, near the town of Riedlingen, in the southeastern state of Baden-Württemberg, on Sunday evening, the German police report.
The victims were the train driver, another Deutsche Bahn employee, and a passenger. A further 41 people were injured.
According to the state police, the regional express train with about 100 people on board was en route from Sigmaringen to Ulm. Around 18:10, at least two carriages derailed near Bechingen, a district of Riedlingen, about 45 kilometres southeast of Ulm.
Hundreds of rescue workers and six helicopters were mobilised, said German State Deputy Premier and State Minister of the Interior Thomas Strobel (CDU).
Landslide
Branches were scattered on the tracks. A few meters away, at the edge of the track, a train axle landed. Video footage from the accident scene shows firefighters and rescue workers working on the derailed wagons to access the passengers, while loud screams can be heard.
The accident was likely caused by a landslide as a result of heavy rain. Thunderstorms and heavy rain had preceded the accident. Locally, 30 to 40 litres of rain per square meter fell in a short period of time.
"The water caused a landslide on the shoulder of the tracks, which likely led to the derailment," police said.
Train traffic between Munderkringen and Herbertingen has been interrupted due to a derailment. Passengers on the route between Munderkringen and Ulm can use trains operated by the transport company SWEG and replacement buses.
