A deadly train crash in the south of Germany has killed three and injured hundreds. The derailment took place near the town of Riedlingen. This is in the state of Baden-Württemberg during the evening rush. The train had been running from Sigmaringen to Ulm when two of its cars derailed. At least 100 passengers were on board.
They received swift treatment from the emergency services – whose response time was less than two minutes. Within minutes, rescue helicopters and medical teams were on the scene. They toiled through the night to assist those who were trapped and injured. Passengers were trapped in carriages and some crawled through broken windows to escape. Those hurt had suffered head and limb fractures and back injuries. Rescue workers took the most serious cases to nearby town hospitals.
Local officials suspect the heavy rain in the area could have been a factor in the collision. There are initial reports that there was a mudslide or flooding near the tracks. The railroad confirmed the derailment but did not say what had caused it. Authorities suspended operations on the contaminated route and dispatched teams to check hazardous track and neighboring area.
