The 8 october afternoon, German Transport Minister, Volker Wissing, stated that railway cables had been deliberately cut at two different locations in Germany. The German Ministry of Transport immediately activated its security mechanisms.
Massive Impact on North German Rail Traffic
According to official information, initially it was determined that the failures of the railway traffic cables had occurred in North Rhine-Westphalia and Berlin. There is no evidence of the perpetrators and the motive for the crime is unclear. If damage is confirmed in both places, it will be necessary to assess whether it is a national security crime for political reasons or vandalism from abroad.
In the morning of 8 October, a large number of passengers were trapped at railway stations following a massive rail outage in northern Germany. At the central station there is a sign that says “stop the trains”. A technical failure has paralyzed long-distance traffic in northern Germany, according to the German Federal Railways. Deutsche Bahn said that all ICE trains, as well as the IC and EC of North Germany have been affected.
Infrastructure at Risk of Interruption
For now, Deutsche Bahn warns that cancellations and delays are still expected despite the resumption of rail services. The attack comes just weeks after the devastating attack on the Nord Stream pipeline., connecting Russia and Germany. Thus, the incident has sparked a debate in Germany about infrastructure security.
The massive disruption of rail traffic in northern Germany was caused by sabotage, according to a Deutsche Bahn press release on the afternoon of 8, local time. Security authorities have launched an investigation.. Due to damage to cables essential for train traffic, Deutsche Bahn had to interrupt train traffic in the north for almost three hours on the morning of the day 8.
This deliberate cutting of railway cables affects traffic in Bremen, Hamburg, Baja Sajonia and Schleswig-Holstein. Deutsche Bahn says it can free cancel seat reservations and refund fares for passengers who don't need to travel.
Importance of Railway Cables
Railway cables are often used for the transmission of railway signals or control circuits with a rated voltage of 500 V AND of 1000 V DC is inferior. Shielding layer and aluminum jacket make this cable have a certain shielding performance. Therefore, it is suitable for laying on electrified sections or other areas with strong electrical interference. Railway cables are used in a large number of applications in the construction of rail transport. They are an indispensable part for high-speed railways and rail transportation..
With the sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipeline, the cutting of the norwegian submarine cable, the blowing up of the Crimean bridge and the cutting of the German railway cable, the world seems to be getting more and more chaotic.