Disruptions continue to plague the railway line connecting Duisburg and Düsseldorf following the discovery of a second instance of suspected arson. Police confirmed on Friday that a second damaged section of the track has been identified, also believed to have been caused by a deliberate fire. The North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) Interior Ministry has verified the incident as a targeted act involving an incendiary device.
The damaged cables are causing significant disruptions to both regional and long-distance rail services. Replacement bus services have been implemented to assist affected travelers.
Deutsche Bahn has announced that repair work is expected to last the entire day. The second damaged location presents increased difficulty in access, further complicating restoration efforts. Numerous regional express lines and ICE (Intercity-Express) connections are impacted, leading to diversions and substantial delays.
Law enforcement officials are actively investigating the incident as a suspected act of sabotage. A statement of responsibility, posted on the Indymedia platform, is currently under examination.
Incident investigators are currently on site conducting a thorough assessment. The initial fire was first noticed by a train driver, who promptly raised the alarm, prompting railway personnel to begin extinguishing the flames. Police are warning the public to be vigilant for potential opportunists and state protection services are conducting inquiries across a broad range of possibilities.