Freight train collision in Munich: two wagons fall from bridge, one dead
A freight train derailed after a collision on a bridge in Munich early Saturday, sending two empty wagons crashing onto the road below and killing one person.
What happened
Just after 1:40 a.m. on Saturday, two freight trains collided while performing shunting maneuvers on a railway bridge over Schleißheimer Straße in Munich's Milbertshofen district. The impact caused one of the trains to derail, and two of its wagons broke free, falling approximately five metres onto the street below. The wagons came to rest partly on the roadway and partly still hanging from the bridge structure, creating a complex recovery scene.
Casualties and damage
Munich police confirmed that one person died as a result of the accident. The victim was initially rescued with serious injuries and taken to hospital but succumbed to the wounds a few hours later. Authorities have not released the identity of the deceased or details on where exactly they were located when the trains collided and derailed. Both trains were empty, and the fallen wagons carried no cargo. No dangerous goods were involved, and officials said there is no risk to the public.
Cleanup operation
Recovery work began on Saturday morning, with dozens of emergency personnel from multiple services on site. The operation is technically challenging because the two wagons are wedged between the road and the bridge. Police said it is unclear how long the effort will take and that Schleißheimer Straße could remain closed through Sunday. The railway bridge is used exclusively by freight trains, according to Deutsche Bahn, and the incident did not affect regional or long-distance passenger services.
Investigation
The cause of the collision is not yet known. Police are gathering evidence and analysing the shunting procedures that were underway at the time. No estimate of the financial damage to the wagons, railway infrastructure or the bridge has been provided. A formal investigation is underway.
