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ICE stuck in Cologne: Hour-long evacuation after branch obstacle!
On June 9, 2025, an ICE train in Cologne-Mülheim stopped for several hours because of a branch on the tracks, which led to the evacuation.
ICE stuck in Cologne: Hour-long evacuation after branch obstacle!
An unexpected adventure on rails
On Monday, June 9, 2025, an ICE on its journey from Dortmund to Munich found itself in an unexpectedly precarious situation. The train, which had departed Dortmund at 6:23 a.m., was stopped at around 8:30 a.m. in Cologne-Mülheim by a massive branch blocking the tracks. This not only disconcerted the 230 passengers, but also prepared them for a longer wait. Compensation for the hospitality and patience of these travelers was not long in coming: their carriage had come to a halt on a railway bridge, which further complicated the situation.
German policy in the railway sector has clear guidelines for safety in rail transport. According to that BMV The operator's responsibility also includes measures to avert danger and compliance with safety standards. These obligations apply not only to the infrastructure, but also to the trains themselves. However, complete traffic safety cannot be guaranteed.
Travelers had to be patient in this tense situation while buses were ordered to take them further after the evacuation. The first bus arrived at 10 a.m., but the situation was far from under control. At 12 p.m. an evacuation train was ready and the first passengers were finally able to get off. The evacuation of the 16 train compartments lasted several hours and lasted until 1:26 p.m., when the last passenger left the train. The train conductor decided to call in the police to deal with the behavior of some passengers, although fortunately no violent confrontations were reported.
The temperatures were high and the patience game took its toll. As a witness reported, the mood among the travelers was anything but euphoric, which is why the authorities considered it necessary to keep a cool head. The safety precautions taken during the evacuation were essential; the Cologne City Gazette noted that the evacuation could not be carried out quickly because it was considered too dangerous to move passengers hastily for safety reasons.
This incident is an example of how complex and challenging rail safety can be. Laws and regulations, such as the General Railway Act (AEG) in Germany, require a high degree of responsibility from operators. Railway safety guidelines are constantly updated to minimize risk to passengers. Today's incident shows that despite all the technology and caution, sometimes unforeseen events can disrupt the planning and execution of a travel itinerary.
All in all, the travelers in Cologne-Mülheim today were part of a story that is not an everyday occurrence in the rail world. Their courage and patience will certainly not be forgotten.