Düsseldorf-Cologne Railway Line Closed After Embankment Fire; Arson Suspected

A fire on the crucial railway line between Düsseldorf and Cologne has disrupted train services, leaving passengers facing delays and cancellations. The full extent of the damage to signaling cables is still being assessed, and Deutsche Bahn has not provided a clear estimate for when the line will be fully operational. Repairs are expected to continue at least through the afternoon.

The incident has drawn the attention of state security services, who are investigating the cause of the blaze. The fire, which occurred on Friday morning between Langenfeld and Leverkusen, damaged multiple signaling cables. While the fire brigade extinguished the flames, the subsequent technical checks on the signaling systems are delaying the line's reopening.

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it is not yet foreseeable when the trains will be able to run again.

Authorities are exploring whether the fire was deliberately set. As of Saturday morning, police had not identified a specific cause, but the investigation by the state security division of the Cologne police is ongoing. The disruption is impacting both regional and long-distance travel, with long-distance trains experiencing delays of approximately 30 minutes.

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Experts are already working to repair the damage as quickly as possible.