No apparent indication of a targeted assault on the ICE line, according to authorities.
In an unexpected turn of events, a suspected arson fire has caused significant disruption on the Berlin-Munich ICE line near Hirschaid, Bamberg. The fire, which occurred in a pedestrian underpass beneath the railway line between Bamberg and Forchheim, has severely damaged the structure and rendered the rails unusable.
The Bamberger Kriminalpolizei is actively investigating the incident, with no clear indication yet that the fire was set with the intention of disrupting traffic. The fire department was promptly called, and around 20 firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze. However, the damage caused has resulted in major repercussions for train services.
The fire has led to a complete closure of the railway stretch between Forchheim and Bamberg, significantly disrupting the Berlin-Munich ICE route and the Nürnberg-Bamberg regional line. High-speed trains in both directions between Nuremberg and Erfurt are being rerouted, causing a delay of about 90 minutes. Trains are being rerouted via Weimar and Naumburg, adding another half hour to the journey time. The section of the ICE line between Nuremberg and Erfurt will remain closed at least until mid-week.
Several IC services between Nürnberg and Leipzig, as well as between Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe and Gera, have been canceled due to the disruption. A replacement bus service has been set up between Forchheim and Bamberg, although it does not serve all usual stops due to roadworks. Passengers are advised to use taxis to reach certain stations or to take alternative routes via Würzburg for regional trains between Nuremberg and Bamberg.
The structure above the underpass in Hirschaid, district of Bamberg, has not been reported to have been affected by the rerouting or cancellation of trains. DB plans to install auxiliary bridges to resume train traffic on the ICE line Berlin-Munich.
The high-speed line Munich-Berlin is also closed between Erfurt and Leipzig/Halle until July 12 due to bridge renovation work, adding to the overall disruption in train services. The latest updates on the arson investigation are still forthcoming, with the police continuing their investigation into the cause of the fire.
Train passengers are advised to check the DB website or mobile app for the most up-to-date information on their journeys, as disruptions are expected to continue until Thursday, July 10. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential impact of such incidents on the smooth running of public transportation.
- The incident of arson on the Berlin-Munich ICE line near Hirschaid, Bamberg, has extended beyond the immediate impact on transportation, causing delays in finance as well, given the large number of passengers affected and the need for alternative travel arrangements.
- The general-news of the arson fire has also spread to other parts of the industry, particularly the transportation sector, with several IC services between Nürnberg and Leipzig, as well as between Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe and Gera, being canceled due to the disruption.
- The arson fire, a typical crime-and-justice issue, has had far-reaching consequences, impacting not just the local transportation system in Bamberg, but also the broader finance sector with the potential for financial losses incurred by the public and private entities due to the disruptions.
