One dead after freight train collision causes derailment in Munich

Yesterday 12:00

One person has died following a collision between two freight trains in Munich in the early hours of Saturday, an incident that caused multiple carriages to derail and fall from a bridge onto the street below, according to local authorities.

The accident occurred in the northern district of Milbertshofen at around 1:40 a.m. local time. Emergency services were quickly dispatched to the scene, with approximately 60 first responders deployed to secure the area and assist in rescue operations.

According to a police spokesperson, the two cargo trains collided on a railway bridge under circumstances that remain unclear. The impact caused at least two wagons to leave the tracks and plunge onto the road beneath the structure, raising concerns about both rail and road safety in the affected area.

Firefighters and rescue teams worked through the night to manage the wreckage and ensure there were no additional victims trapped in the debris. Authorities confirmed that one person was pronounced dead as a result of the collision, while further details about other possible injuries were not immediately released.

The cause of the crash is currently under investigation. Officials have not ruled out any possibilities and are examining technical failure, human error, or operational issues as part of the inquiry.

Rail traffic in the surrounding area was temporarily disrupted as emergency crews secured the site and began clearing the damaged freight cars from the bridge and surrounding roadway.

Authorities have stated that a full assessment will be carried out in the coming days to determine how the two trains came into contact and to evaluate whether additional safety measures are needed to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The accident has renewed attention on freight rail safety in Germany, particularly in densely populated urban areas where rail infrastructure intersects with major roads.