Significant Disruptions on Duisburg-Bound Trains in Dusseldorf
Disruption on Düsseldorf-Duisburg Railway Line Due to Deliberate Arson Attacks
Two deliberate arson attacks on the heavily used railway line between Düsseldorf and Duisburg, Germany, have caused significant disruptions to rail traffic. The incidents, which occurred on July 31st and August 2nd, have affected both regional and long-distance trains, leading to a cascade of cancellations and service changes.
On July 31st, a fire was discovered in a cable shaft on the railway line towards Duisburg in the Kalkum area. The fire was suspected to be a deliberate act, and investigations are ongoing to determine the cause and identify any suspects. The state protection department was called in due to indications of an explosion.
As a result of the damage, ICE and IC trains between North Germany - Ruhr area and South Germany/Switzerland, as well as those between East Frisia and Cologne, have been affected. Passengers with the destination of Düsseldorf Airport are particularly affected as the station cannot currently be reached. The S-1 line from Dortmund Hbf ends and starts in Duisburg Hbf, with connections between Duisburg Hbf and Düsseldorf Hbf cancelled. RE 3 and RE 19 trains are diverted in both directions between Duisburg Hbf and Düsseldorf Hbf, with the Düsseldorf Airport station not served.
A second crime scene was discovered in Angermund, and a special investigation commission has been set up. ICE trains between Berlin and Düsseldorf/Cologne/Aachen, as well as those between Amsterdam and Frankfurt (Main), are affected. ICE trains between Dortmund - Frankfurt (Main) and Vienna are also affected by the disruptions.
To mitigate the impact on passengers, a replacement bus service has been set up, with buses running between Düsseldorf-Unterrath and Duisburg Hbf. However, the extent of damage is significant, with more than 50 meters of cables needing to be replaced, causing major disruptions on the railway line.
Deutsche Bahn has classified the incident as vandalism damage, and the disruption is expected to continue until Friday afternoon (1st August) according to the company. The Düsseldorf Criminal Police are investigating the incidents on suspicion of deliberate arson, and no arrests or definitive suspect identification have been publicly reported as of early August 2025. State security services are leading the investigation, exploring all possibilities including impersonation in the claim of responsibility.
- The arson attacks on the Düsseldorf-Duisburg railway line have resulted in significant disruptions not only in the transportation industry, but also in the general-news sector, as the ongoing investigations for the criminals responsible are being broadcasted nationwide.
- In addition to the immediate impact on the finance industry, due to potential lost earnings by various businesses dependent on rail transportation, there could also be long-term effects as passengers may choose alternative modes of transport in the future.
- The crime-and-justice industry might also face potential challenges as the numerous investigations required to identify the perpetrators of these arson attacks could strain resources, particularly for state security services.
