ICE near Celle: gravel stones endanger train traffic – witnesses wanted!

ICE near Celle: gravel stones endanger train traffic – witnesses wanted!

On Friday night there was a worrying incident on the railway line between Hamburg and Hanover, which shows how dangerous direct intervention in rail traffic can be. On its journey to Hanover, the ICE 775 ran over gravel stones placed on the tracks, which resulted in damage to the vehicle. According to Celler Presse, after an unscheduled stop in Isernhagen, the train was redirected to Hanover main station at reduced speed. Fortunately, there were no injuries among the travelers.

The unknown perpetrators have not been found and the federal police have now started investigations into a dangerous interference with rail traffic. In particular, witnesses are asked: Who saw suspicious people between the Fuhse Canal and the street “Zum Kiebitzsee” in Celle on Friday evening? Information is requested to the Bremen Federal Police Inspectorate on 0421/16299-7777 or by email to bpoli.bremen@polizei.bund.de.

Danger to life due to vandalism

The situation not only raises serious questions about security arrangements, but also highlights the dangers associated with such acts. The federal police warn: Entering railway facilities is life-threatening. The ballast stones can become dangerous projectiles when pulled by trains, potentially leading to serious accidents.

Such incidents are not new. In Mannheim, during a journey between Mannheim and Stuttgart, two children and a teenager recently had to force the train to brake emergencyly because they placed stones on the tracks. This act led to the line being closed for about an hour and a similar action by the federal police, who in this case immediately intervened and arrested the young people, as described in the report by SWR.
A pretty tough case and a signal from the constitutional state: Dangerous interventions in rail traffic have consequences, even for those who are not yet of criminal responsibility.

The role of the federal police

The federal police take their job seriously. According to its official website, the authority is responsible for ensuring safety on federal railway facilities. Whether it's combating vandalism or averting threats to public order, the areas of focus are clearly defined. The Federal Police carries out targeted patrol activities to increase safety on local passenger trains and to ensure the protection of passengers.

The reports of dangerous interference and vandalism in rail traffic make it clear that a common concern is needed to prevent such incidents. The local police can only work efficiently if citizens also have attentive eyes. We should all keep a close eye on our railway assets to avoid similar incidents and ensure safety on our tracks.