Dangerous interference: Children place stones on railway tracks as police investigate

Two boys aged six and 10 placed more than 30 stones on railway tracks near Kuchen in the Göppingen district, prompting a police investigation and a warning from Germany’s Federal Police.

Witnesses saw the children at the tracks, where a patrol later found them. At least three trains had already run over stones on the line, sending them against a parked car. More than 30 additional stones remained on the rails when officers arrived.

The line was briefly closed while the stones were removed. Police handed the children over to their parents and opened a criminal case. Prosecutors said the case would be discontinued once it was established that only children under 14 had been involved, because they are not criminally liable.

The Federal Police also plans to invite the children and their parents to a prevention meeting. It warned that putting stones or other objects on tracks is not a harmless prank. Such objects can damage trains and put people at risk.

“

Putting stones or other objects on railway tracks is not a harmless prank.