Federal immigration authorities still stationed in Cologne - Mass evacuation of travelers
In an unexpected turn of events, an ICE train carrying approximately 600 passengers was stranded on an open track in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, on August 15, 2025. The incident occurred around 5:30 PM, causing a significant disruption in the city's rail network.
The cause of the incident was a collision with an overhead power line, which was found to be due to a defective carrying rope that abruptly halted the train's progress. This unfortunate event led to a lengthy evacuation process that lasted about four hours in the high summer temperatures.
The impact on rail traffic was substantial, resulting in delays and disruptions for numerous passengers. The interruption affected high-speed trains like the ICE, as well as regional services passing through Cologne. The 15,000-volt overhead line on the route was switched off for repairs to ensure safety during the incident and subsequent evacuation.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the incident. However, one passenger complained of circulatory problems. The passengers were evacuated from the train around 9:30 PM and were taken to the station by bus.
The duration for which the emergency power can operate the air conditioning systems is currently unknown. Repair timelines for the damaged overhead power line have not been explicitly provided, but given the complexity of the repairs, they could take several hours to days depending on the extent of the damage.
This incident was reported by WDR, with the source of the information being ntv.de and ino/dpa. It's worth noting that this article does not cover a separate incident where hundreds of ICE passengers were stranded in a tunnel near Vienna, which is not related to the Cologne incident.
In summary, the ICE train's sudden stop in Cologne was due to overhead power line damage caused by a defective carrying rope. This caused prolonged evacuation and severe rail traffic disruption. Repair timelines remain unspecified in the current data.
The stranded ICE train incident in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, on August 15, 2025, disrupted not only the city's rail network but also the broader public-transit industry in the region, affecting high-speed and regional services. This unfortunate event may have significant financial implications for the involved German railways, given the potential costs of repairing the damaged 15,000-volt overhead line and compensating passengers for delays and inconveniences. Furthermore, the automotive industry might also be indirectly impacted due to increased traffic on the roads as passengers seek alternative means of transportation during the rail network's recovery.
