On Friday, three arson attacks halted train traffic between Hamburg and Berlin, with expected disruptions lasting until Saturday. There are suspicions of a political motive behind these acts. The Federal Minister of Transport even referred to these incidents as “terrorism”.
An alleged arson attack in Hamburg significantly disrupted the long-distance traffic of Deutsche Bahn on the route between Hamburg and Berlin. Especially ahead of the weekend, a peak time for commuters, there were cancellations of over a dozen trains between the two major cities. However, absolute chaos at the main train stations of Hamburg and Berlin was avoided. Unfortunately for all passengers, it is expected that regular traffic between Hamburg and Berlin will only resume during the course of Saturday morning.
“Political Motive”: Three Fires on Friday Night
Fires broke out at three different locations along the railway lines in Hamburg on the night leading to Friday. Investigators suspect a political motive. The police are asking witnesses for assistance. The fires were discovered between 2:30 a.m. and 3:40 a.m. Deliberate arson is believed to be the cause.
Confession Found on Leftist Website
After the suspected attack on the railway infrastructure in Hamburg, a confession appeared on the leftist website, Indymedia. The statement read, “On the night of September 7, we sabotaged key parts of the capitalist infrastructure in Hamburg.” The note further describes the intention to cause long-term disruptions by pouring gasoline into the cable ducts by the tracks, affecting the transportation of resources gained through neo-colonial exploitation and environmentally harmful extractives.
However, the letter mainly focuses on freight traffic. Despite stating that the sections targeted were “not intended for passenger traffic,” passenger travel between Berlin and Hamburg was significantly disrupted on Friday. A majority of long-distance trains on this route were cancelled throughout the day.
Authenticity of the Letter Not Yet Confirmed
The Hamburg police announced that they are aware of the confession and it will be considered in the ongoing investigations. However, the authenticity of the letter has not yet been confirmed.
Volker Wissing: “A Form of Terrorism”
Federal Minister of Transport, Volker Wissing (FDP), called for a decisive response from the rule of law. “Such attacks are a form of terrorism,” Wissing told the Deutsche Presse-Agentur on Friday. “It’s fortunate that no one was physically hurt.” Such attacks jeopardize not only passenger transport but also the secure supply of some essential goods. Wissing emphasized, “I expect the rule of law to act consistently. There must be a societal consensus to condemn any form of violence and extremism.”
Security Officer Strongly Condemns the Attack
The Deutsche Bahn’s security officer strongly criticized the alleged attack on the infrastructure in Hamburg. Hans-Hilmar Rischke commented on Friday, “People who want to travel with us – using one of the most environmentally friendly modes of transportation – are significantly affected by train cancellations and delays and cannot reach their destinations.” He further emphasized their close cooperation with the security authorities and hopes for quick results in the investigations.
“Pure Chaos”: Many Travelers Stranded
A large number of travellers were stranded at Hamburg’s main train station after the cancellation of many train services. Long queues formed at the travel center on Friday, while crowds of people with luggage waited on platforms and entrances.
Due to high temperatures, many sought shade. Most remained calm, but some looked frustratedly at their mobile phones. A 60-year-old man from southern Germany, who wanted to return home, commented, “Simply put, it’s pure chaos.” Few travellers showed an understanding of politically motivated vandalism. One passenger remarked, “Trains are environmentally friendly. I just don’t get it.”
Rail Expert Advocates for Fencing Off Rail Lines
Given the alleged arson attacks and similar incidents in the past, rail expert Markus Hecht advocated for the fencing of many rail lines. “This would actually improve operational stability,” said the TU Berlin scientist. He has been in contact with Deutsche Bahn, which has repeatedly argued that such fences could be easily climbed.
Hecht also emphasized that in most places, there is no redundancy for signal cables. Therefore, if one cable is damaged, there is no backup. “Cable damage always leads to disruptions,” Hecht said. Overall, he hasn’t noticed significant changes in Deutsche Bahn’s security measures in recent years.
Deutsche Bahn Rejects the Proposal
Deutsche Bahn rejected the call for fencing their facilities on Friday. A spokeswoman explained that fencing off the entire rail network is nearly impossible and there can be no 100% security. Instead, the focus is on preventive security measures, such as video surveillance, and close collaboration with security agencies.
Deployment of Federal and State Police
Both the federal and state police have launched extensive investigations. A special investigative team has also been formed to solve the arson attack. Security agencies are urging the public to report any suspicious observations immediately.
In conclusion, due to the ongoing disruptions in train services, there can also be significant disruptions in regional traffic. Travelers are therefore asked to inform themselves about current connections and possible cancellations before starting their journey.
