Swabia: Railway barriers defective: Town divided after lightning strike

A lightning strike has rendered the barriers at two railway crossings in the German town of Harburg inoperable, effectively splitting the community. The incident, which occurred after a powerful lightning strike, has left the town divided, with the two affected roads serving as the only vehicular links between the western and eastern sections.

According to a police spokesperson, the inability to pass through the railway crossings means residents face potentially lengthy detours. The situation is expected to persist until at least the morning, potentially disrupting the start of the workday for many.

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The town is effectively divided, with the two affected roads being the only connections between the Westhälfte of the place with the Osthälfte and now no longer passable by car.

A German Rail technician has been notified about the damage. However, due to a high volume of ongoing disruptions, the technician will require some time to address the issue in Harburg. Until the barriers are repaired, they will remain closed.

The police have issued a notice reminding the public that using unofficial routes or attempting to bypass closed railway barriers is prohibited. The duration of the disruption remains uncertain, with potential impacts on morning commutes.

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The police draw attention to the fact that the use of shortcuts and the circumvention of closed railway barriers is forbidden.