Police discover a parked vehicle along the main road, suspected sabotage
In North Rhine-Westphalia, a series of coordinated arson attacks on the key north-south Deutsche Bahn main line between Duisburg and Düsseldorf have caused significant disruptions to train services. The incidents occurred in late July and early August 2025, with incendiary devices placed in a cable tunnel causing fires that severely impacted train traffic[1][2].
Timeline of Events: - July 31, 2025: A fire broke out in a cable tunnel on the Duisburg-Düsseldorf main line, paralyzing the route and causing massive disruption to both long-distance and regional train traffic. An ignition device was discovered, and a train driver raised the alarm. Fire investigators confirmed sabotage, and state security began investigating in all directions[2]. - August 1, 2025: A second similar arson attack occurred on the same line around the same time. Authorities indicated the two attacks were likely coordinated. A confession letter claiming responsibility was posted on the platform "Indymedia" by a group calling themselves the "Angry Birds Commando," though its authenticity was still under verification by police[1].
Impact on Train Traffic: The Duisburg-Düsseldorf line is one of Germany’s busiest, with over 620 trains daily (excluding freight), so the sabotage caused massive disruptions to services[1]. Long-distance services were significantly affected, and repair work on the damaged cables (about 60 meters affected) is expected to take considerable time, prolonging disruptions[1][2]. A shuttle bus service was established between Düsseldorf Airport and Duisburg Central Station as well as between their main stations to help commuters during the rail outage[2].
Alternative Routes: Reports specifically mention shuttle buses as a temporary alternative. However, no detailed alternative train routes around the sabotage site were indicated, likely due to the main line’s critical importance and the extent of damage[2]. Passengers on disrupted long-distance services presumably had to rely on these bus shuttles or other longer detours, but no explicit rail rerouting plans were detailed in the sources.
Current Situation: The investigation into the train sabotage is ongoing, with state security actively investigating. The identity of the sabotage group remains under verification. As of August 1, 2022, repair work on the damaged cables has begun, but the disruptions in regional and long-distance traffic continue[1][2].
In summary, the two deliberate arson attacks have caused major train traffic paralysis on the Duisburg-Düsseldorf rail corridor, forcing Deutsche Bahn to implement shuttle bus alternatives while repair and investigation continue[1][2]. The sabotage group’s identity remains under verification, with state security actively investigating.
- In the realm of general news, the public transit system in North Rhine-Westphalia has faced a disruption due to a series of coordinated arson attacks on the Deutsche Bahn main line between Duisburg and Düsseldorf, significantly impacting transportation.
- Finance experts have expressed concerns over the consequences of this sabotage on the local industry, as the efficiency of the rail service plays a significant role in Germany's economic growth and commerce.
- Moreover, crime-and-justice departments are closely monitoring this situation, as the identity of the "Angry Birds Commando" remains unverified and the investigation continues, potentially raising questions about security measures in Germany's critical transportation infrastructure.
