Sabotage Halts Train Service Between Düsseldorf and Cologne

German authorities have serious suspicions of sabotage after a deliberately set fire on a major railway line severely disrupted traffic in western Germany. According to the DPA news agency, security sources have ruled out a technical malfunction as the cause.

The incident occurred Friday morning on an extremely busy route connecting the cities of Düsseldorf and Cologne. The national operator, Deutsche Bahn, said the railway embankment caught fire at two locations between Langenfeld and Leverkusen. Firefighters quickly extinguished the flames, but the fire had already caused serious damage to important signaling cables.

Shortly after the incident, a letter appeared on the Indymedia platform in which the well-known left-wing group Angry Birds Commando claimed responsibility. The group said it had placed incendiary devices in the cable ducts.

Security authorities consider the letter authentic, as this group carried out an attack on the railway line between Düsseldorf and Duisburg a year ago.

Cologne police immediately took over the investigation, looking into intentional criminal acts and threats to national security. Extensive repairs to the damaged cables continued at least through Saturday afternoon. As a result, rail traffic in the region remained paralyzed throughout Saturday, leading to massive reroutings, delays and the complete cancellation of many local and long-distance trains.

(max)