Despite 30 degrees: Dramatic train evacuation in Cologne causes chaos!

Despite 30 degrees: Dramatic train evacuation in Cologne causes chaos!

On Friday afternoon, August 15, 2025, an incident happened in Cologne-Buchforst that brought the passengers of an ICE 201 on their way from Hamburg-Altona to Basel SBB into the headlines. The train carrying around 600 passengers became stranded around 5pm when a faulty overhead wire damaged the train roof and caused a complete power outage. A look into the Picture shows that the outside temperatures were over 30 degrees, which made the situation even more painful for travelers because the air conditioning stopped working.

The fire brigade, police, rescue workers and emergency managers from Deutsche Bahn were quickly on site to ensure safety and prepare for an evacuation. The passengers were supposed to continue on to the next town, but instead they had to wait some time for help. The emergency services had to cut out an embankment to get to the train - not an easy task under the given conditions.

Evacuation in sweaty heat

The evacuation itself took several hours and required a lot of support. Fortunately, there was only one person with circulatory problems who had to be taken to hospital. The others were able to be transported on a replacement bus while the affected route was completely closed. This not only led to train cancellations, but also to delays in all long-distance and local transport. The causes of the damage to the overhead line are still unclear, and Deutsche Bahn estimates that the repairs will take several hours.

The passengers' dramatic situation is a reminder of how important it is to be prepared for unexpected events, even when traveling. In these hot days, when you need to cool down quickly, the thought of a good drink or a shady place is often unavoidable.

A look at other interesting newsworthy places

While passengers in Cologne struggled with emergencies, it's worth taking a look beyond the country's borders. For example, at the Ice Forum in Duluth, Georgia, where you can skate on two NHL-regulated ice rinks. The Ice Forum also offers an extensive program for every ice skating fan - from birthday parties to figure skating and ice hockey for adults and teenagers.

Although the circumstances in Cologne proved to be challenging, the anticipation for future trips and relaxing holiday destinations remains undiminished. When you take a moment to think about the meaning of “férias,” you realize how valuable these downtimes are – whether it’s a relaxing vacation on the beach or in the mountains. Even if the next trip may only lead to your own garden, the desire for relaxation will certainly always remain.

And so we can only hope that the next trips will be less turbulent and full of beautiful moments - no matter where you go!