Train derails in German Alps leaving multiple people dead

At least three people are dead and dozens more injured after a train carrying ‘many’ schoolchildren derailed in the German Alps today.

The train was heading north from the Alps to Munich around 12.15pm when several carriages rolled off the tracks and three overturned at Burgrain, near the resort town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

Three people have been killed while 60 more have been injured including at least 16 who are in a serious condition, police have said.

‘Many school-children’ are said to have been on the train, according to local newspaper Bild, who were making a getaway for the holidays after final classes today. 

At least three people are dead and dozens more have been hurt, 16 of them seriously, after a train derailed in the German Alps

At least 60 people have been injured in the accident, including 16 who are in ‘serious’ condition, police have said (pictured, rescue crews help evacuate a wounded person on a stretcher)

The train was on the way from southern Germany to Munich when it came off the train around 3.30pm, causing three of the carriages to roll over

‘Many school-children’ were said to be on board the train, heading away for the holidays after a final day of classes today

‘All age groups’ are among the injured, police told local news site BR24, with ‘people being pulled through windows’ to safety.

It was not immediately clear exactly how many people were on the train at the time of the crash or what caused the crash to happen.

Six rescue helicopters have been scrambled to the scene in addition to dozens of ambulances, fire engines, cranes, and other rescue vehicles.

The line between Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Oberau, north of the accident site, has been closed while the rescue is carried out.

Pictures on social media showed carriages of a double-decker regional train stuck between tree branches and rolled down an embankment, as well as people being carried away on stretchers and standing around on the tracks.

A major emergency services operation was still under way, police said, and the rail line was currently completely closed.

Regional trains have seen higher passenger numbers since June 1, when a ticket allowing Germany-wide travel came into effect.

Six helicopters have been sent to the scene along with dozens of ambulances, fire engines, at least one crane and other pieces of rescue equipment

People of ‘all ages’ are among the victims of the crash, police said, with people being ‘pulled through the windows’ to safety (pictured)

At least three train cars rolled over as they left the track and slid down an embankment, though it is not clear what exactly cause them to derail

Dozens of fire engines, a crane and ambulances fill the road next to the accident site as a major rescue operation takes place

Popular mountain resort Garmisch-Partenkirchen and its surrounding regions are gearing up to host the G7 summit of world leaders later this month.

From June 26-28, the heads of state and government including US President Joe Biden are due to meet at Schloss Elmau – about 11 kilometres (seven miles) from Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

Police and soldiers who had been deployed to prepare and secure the site ahead of the summit have now also been diverted to help in the rescue operation.

Three helicopters from Austria’s Tyrol region have been scrambled to the scene to provide first aid, according to media reports.

Germany’s deadliest rail accident happened in 1998 when a high-speed train operated by state-owned Deutsche Bahn derailed in Eschede in Lower Saxony, killing 101 people.

The most recent fatal crash took place on February 14, 2022, when one person was killed and 14 others injured in a collision between two local trains near Munich.

In 2017, a collision between a passenger train and a stationary freight train near the western city of Duesseldorf injured 41 people.

Rescuers 

It is not clear how exactly the crash happened, or exactly how many people were on the train when it derailed