At least three people have been confirmed dead and several more seriously injured after a passenger train derailed in southern Germany.
The crash occurred near Riedlingen in the Biberach district of Baden-Württemberg, roughly 98 miles west of Munich, at around 6:10 p.m. local time. Authorities say about 100 people were onboard when at least two carriages came off the tracks in a forested area.
Local officials have described the crash as a “mass casualty incident.” Photos from the scene show train cars tipped on their sides as emergency responders climbed onto the wreckage to reach passengers.
While the exact number of injured passengers has not been confirmed, reports suggest “numerous” casualties, with several in critical condition.
The cause of the derailment remains under investigation. Officials noted that storms and heavy rain had passed through the area earlier in the day, raising the possibility that a landslide could have contributed to the accident.
“There have been heavy rains here, so it cannot be ruled out that a landslide may have caused the derailment,” said Thomas Strobl, the interior minister of Baden-Württemberg. “But this is still being investigated.”
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed his condolences on X, saying he mourned the victims and stood with their families.
Deutsche Bahn, the country’s national railway operator, said it is working with investigators and also extended its sympathies to those affected.
