Storm Joshua caused a train collision: tracks near Bad Zwischenahn closed!

Storm Joshua caused a train collision: tracks near Bad Zwischenahn closed!

In the early hours of the morning on October 26, 2025, storm “Joshua” caused significant disruption to the railway line between Norddeich Mole and Hanover. At around 6:00 a.m. a tree fell on the tracks near Bad Zwischenahn in the Ammerland district, which led to a collision with a regional train on the RE21 line. Despite emergency braking by the driver, a collision could not be prevented; fortunately, both the driver and all passengers remained uninjured. The accident site was immediately cordoned off and the fire department set about clearing the tracks.

As n-tv.de reports, the measure to secure the route and clear the tree is ongoing. The regional train was damaged in the front area and stopped. The evacuation of travelers began at around 8:00 a.m., with firefighters also working with ladders to disembark passengers safely.

Replacement traffic and diversions

The impact of the incident was significant. The route between Leer and Oldenburg was closed and all intercity trains were rerouted between Norddeich Mole and Hanover, which resulted in additional detours via Osnabrück. The regional trains on the RE 1 line were also affected. In order to accommodate the stranded travelers, Deutsche Bahn set up a replacement bus service between Bad Zwischenahn and Oldenburg. Stop cancellations affected several stations, including Augustfehn, Westerstede-Ocholt and Hude, with delays of up to 45 minutes expected. The detailed list of affected stops can be viewed at [kreiszeitung.de](https://www.kreiszeitung.de/lokales/niedersachsen/sturm-joshua-laesst-baum-auf-gleise-stuerzen-regionalzug-kracht-trotz-not Bremsung-hinein-94005690.html).

Storm “Joshua” didn’t just leave its mark on Lower Saxony’s rail network. In other regions too, roads were blocked due to fallen trees, for example in the Heidekreis near Dorfmark. The fire department was also deployed here to make the streets passable again. At the same time, the weather service reported flooding on the coast and restrictions on ferry traffic on the North Sea. It is expected that the fire brigade's operations will continue as further storm-related damage cannot be ruled out.

International incident management

In such critical situations, it is important to also know international standards and processes. The DB InfraGO AG has developed a manual for international emergency management (ICM), which describes procedures and standards for working together efficiently in the event of serious incidents. These regulations are particularly important in the event of disruptions that extend beyond national borders.

It remains to be seen how quickly the necessary repair work on the overhead line can be completed and the route will be fully reopened. Until then, travelers will have to prepare for longer travel times and diversions.