In the past 24 hours, serious train collisions have occurred in Germany and the UK, resulting in 1 death in each incident. The UK accident also left dozens injured, with 9 individuals currently in critical condition.
German officials confirmed on Saturday (June 20) that two freight trains collided violently around 1:40 am on a railway bridge in the southern city of Munich. The collision caused two freight cars of one train to derail and fall directly from the bridge, approximately 16 feet high, onto the street below, resulting in one fatality.
According to Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa), the identity of the victim has not been disclosed, and the specific cause of the collision is still under investigation. Following the accident, a large number of rescue personnel and heavy lifting equipment have rushed to the scene.
Munich police stated that due to the cars falling and the street being littered with debris, the road beneath the bridge has been indefinitely closed, urging drivers to take alternative routes during the search and cleanup operations. However, Deutsche Presse-Agentur pointed out that the derailed cars involved were not carrying any cargo at the time, hence there was no leakage of toxic substances at the scene, posing no further threat to public safety.
As of now, there have been no reports of any other injuries.
Shortly before the German accident, a train tragedy also unfolded in the UK. Around 5:15 pm local time on Friday (June 19), two passenger trains bound for London collided near Bedford, about 60 miles (100 kilometers) north of London.
Reuters reported that the driver of one train died on the spot after the collision. A surviving passenger shared a video on social media showing severe damage to the front of one carriage, entangled with the rear of another carriage, fortunately, the rest of the train’s cars remained upright, averting a more catastrophic outcome.
Lucy D’Orsi, Chief of the British Transport Police, updated on the latest developments on Saturday, stating that over 80 people were emergency transported to hospitals for treatment on Friday evening.
“As of this morning, 28 individuals are still hospitalized, with 9 in critical condition,” D’Orsi said. She emphasized that the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) is working tirelessly to determine the exact cause of this rear-end collision.
This fatal accident has shocked British society. Prime Minister Keir Starmer described it as a “devastating incident” in a post on social media, expressing gratitude for the rapid response of emergency services.
Buckingham Palace also conveyed King Charles’s concern through a statement on behalf of the British Royal Family: “His Majesty the King is deeply saddened by the train collision that occurred in Bedford last night and is regularly briefed on the latest developments. His heart is with the families of the deceased and all those injured or affected by this tragic incident, offering them sincere condolences.”