Train accident in Garmisch: Internal report reveals serious errors!

Train accident in Garmisch: Internal report reveals serious errors!

A tragic event is celebrating its anniversary in picturesque Garmisch-Partenkirchen: on June 3, 2022, a regional train derailed and led to one of the worst train accidents in the region. Five people lost their lives and 78 others were injured, 16 of them seriously. The background to this accident has now come to light through an internal report from Deutsche Bahn, which states that the accident could have been avoided. According to Focus, the operational employees and the former board members of the subsidiary DB Netz are responsible for the disaster. It is a classic example of how important preventive measures are in rail transport.

A central aspect of the report is the discovery of damaged concrete sleepers that were no longer load-bearing due to chemical reactions. “Unfortunately, the first warning from a route inspector on May 17, 2022 regarding 36 defective sleepers was not adequately addressed,” according to the analysis. This negligence led to the railway not responding in a timely manner and not paying enough attention to the load-bearing capacity of the line. The Federal Bureau of Railway Accident Investigation (BEU) confirmed that the dilapidated sleepers were the main cause of the accident, and a report from a train driver about problems at the accident site was not passed on to the responsible authorities.

Consequences of the accident and ongoing processes

Deutsche Bahn has now introduced extensive measures to prevent similar accidents. This includes an exchange program for two million concrete sleepers and training and awareness-raising measures for staff. "There is no compensation for the loss for the victim's family. But we bear responsibility, and we have recognized that," explained Philipp Nagl, CEO of DB InfraGO. DB Netz no longer exists and has been replaced by DB InfraGO, which now manages the entire infrastructure.

In October 2023, legal proceedings will begin against two railway employees who are accused of negligent homicide and bodily harm. The verdict is expected in February 2024. Three employees were originally charged, but proceedings were dropped in one case.

Long-term security measures

Deutsche Bahn has not only invested in the maintenance of the infrastructure, but also ensured that similar risks are minimized in the future. To date, around two million risky sleepers have been replaced as part of the sleeper replacement program. In addition, other areas of infrastructure are being examined in order to identify and correct similar deficiencies at an early stage. “We have a good knack for the safety of our passengers, and that is our top priority,” emphasizes Nagl and announced that the railway will continue to ensure more transparency and safety in the future.

It remains to be hoped that the lessons from this tragic story will be taken seriously, not only in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, but nationwide, and that safety in rail traffic will continue to be improved. As Tagesschau reports, there are clear signs of improvement, but the memory of the sad events of 2022 has not been forgotten and should remind us of the importance of careful controls and official structures.