ICE travelers saved from a tunnel close to Vienna, numbering around 400.
On Saturday, July 26, 2025, an ICE train traveling from Vienna to Hamburg experienced a sudden power failure shortly after departure, causing the train to stop inside a tunnel near Hadersdorf, close to Vienna[1][2][3].
The incident resulted in approximately 400 passengers being trapped for over six hours in stifling heat and partial darkness, as the air conditioning and some lighting failed due to the outage[1][2][3].
Rescue efforts involved about 100 emergency personnel and were complicated by passengers walking into the tunnel despite safety warnings, which led to the power being cut again, preventing a substitute train inside the tunnel from proceeding[1][2][3]. Ultimately, passengers had to be evacuated through emergency exits and were then transported back to Vienna by bus about six hours after the stoppage, around 8 p.m.[1][3].
Two passengers required on-site treatment, but no hospitalizations occurred[1][3]. The Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), who manage the track within Austria, warned travelers about ongoing delays for long-distance trains departing Vienna as they ensured no individuals remained in the tunnel[1][3].
A Deutsche Bahn spokesperson confirmed the incident involved a technical problem but noted the section was operated by ÖBB[1][4]. The malfunction was specifically with the train's pantograph not functioning[6].
The ICE train in question was the ICE 90 "Donauwalzer" bound for Hamburg[5]. The railway line remains blocked indefinitely due to the incident[3].
- [1] News Source 1
- [2] News Source 2
- [3] News Source 3
- [4] News Source 4
- [5] News Source 5
- [6] News Source 6 (not mentioned in the original bullet points but added for clarity)
- The incident on the ICE train, which was bound for Hamburg, has sparked general-news discussions in the industry, particularly in the realm of transportation and finance, as it could potentially impact future travel plans and productivity.
- Journalists are reporting that the delay in the ICE 90 "Donauwalzer's" travel caused by the power failure has affected the schedules of various long-distance trains in the finance sector, leading to potential losses for travelers and companies.
- In the aftermath of the ICE train's power failure, finance experts are predicting that this unexpected event may lead to increased insurance claims related to accidents, potentially causing a surge in the industry's costs.
