Unknown sabotage damages railway cables in Germany’s Ruhr region

Unknown individuals have damaged railway cables along train tracks in the German city of Gelsenkirchen, causing significant disruptions to rail traffic in the Ruhr region, particularly affecting passenger services.

The motives behind the act remain unknown, Caliber.Az reports, citing Der Spiegel.

Federal police have classified the incident as vandalism, the railway company said.

Passengers at Gelsenkirchen Central Station were among the most affected.

According to Deutsche Bahn, long-distance trains do not stop in Gelsenkirchen, as well as in Recklinghausen and Oberhausen.

On regional lines RE2, RE3, RE42, RB32, RB46 and S2, services are subject to cancellations and restrictions, with replacement bus services being deployed.

Deutsche Bahn has advised passengers to check its app or online journey planner for updated travel information amid ongoing disruptions.

It is not yet clear how long the railway disruptions will last.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov