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Germany eyes possible political motive in railway sabotage

Posted October 10, 2022 7:00 am

The Associated Press

BERLIN (AP) - German police said Monday they're examining the possibility of a political motive in the suspected sabotage of a railway communication system over the weekend that brought trains to a standstill across the northwest of the country.

Officials say cables were severed deliberately in a Berlin suburb and in Herne in western Germany, sites that are 440 kilometers (275 miles) apart.

Trains in the northwestern states of Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Lower Saxony and Bremen were halted for nearly three hours on Saturday morning. Railway operator Deutsche Bahn said that was necessary because a digital train radio system failed.

Authorities opened an investigation into suspicion of dangerous interference with rail traffic.

Police in the western city of Bochum said Monday that their state protection unit is conducting the investigation 'œbecause a political motivation is also being examined.'ť They didn't elaborate on what that potential motivation might have been.

Travelers stand in long lines at the travel center in Hamburg Central Station after long-distance services in northern Germany came to a standstill, Hamburg, Germany, Saturday, Oct.8, 2022. According to Deutsche Bahn, a technical fault in northern Germany is currently causing a complete standstill in long-distance services. All ICE as well as IC and EC trains in northern Germany are affected, (Bodo Marks/dpa via AP) The Associated Press

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