2011 Saxony-Anhalt train accident
Encyclopedia
The 2011 Saxony-Anhalt train collision occurred on January 29, 2011, when a freight train and a passenger train collided near Hordorf in Saxony-Anhalt
, Germany
on the Magdeburg–Thale line. The passenger train derailed in the collision. Ten people were killed and 43 people were injured, some of them critically. Initial reports of 33 injured persons were later corrected to 43 (18 critical, 25 non-critical). Around 100 rescue workers were at the collision site, which is about 200 kilometres (124.3 mi) west of Berlin
.
for years, however at the time of the accident, it still ran exclusively on optical signals.
Since many people were severely injured, it was considered likely that the death toll could rise in the immediate aftermath of the incident. By 31 January, only two of the dead had been identified, as many of those killed did not carry identification. At least some of the people killed were of foreign nationality.
to Halberstadt
. The freight train was operated by the Peine-Salzgitter company and carried calcium carbonate
. It had a total mass of about 2700 tons.
Two days after the incident, it was announced that the engineer of the freight train was being investigated for "alleged involuntary manslaughter" and was under suspicion of failing to stop for a red signal prior to the crash. On 1 February, it was reported that investigators believed that the freight train had passed both a warning and a stop signal prior to the crash. Investigators hoped to question the operator of the freight train, who was in a state of shock at the time, later that week.
In response to the crash, the national rail operator Deutsche Bahn
said that it would improve safety systems on all single-track rail lines in the country, including adding automatic braking systems as required.
Saxony-Anhalt
Saxony-Anhalt is a landlocked state of Germany. Its capital is Magdeburg and it is surrounded by the German states of Lower Saxony, Brandenburg, Saxony, and Thuringia.Saxony-Anhalt covers an area of...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
on the Magdeburg–Thale line. The passenger train derailed in the collision. Ten people were killed and 43 people were injured, some of them critically. Initial reports of 33 injured persons were later corrected to 43 (18 critical, 25 non-critical). Around 100 rescue workers were at the collision site, which is about 200 kilometres (124.3 mi) west of Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
.
Accident
The local passenger train with about 45 to 50 passengers on board was on a single track at a speed of approximately 100 kph, where it collided in very foggy conditions head-on with the freight train, which had a speed of about 80 kph. Both trains had reduced their speeds prior to impact: The passenger train was travelling at 66 kph, the freight train at a speed of 68 kph. The impact derailed the passenger train, which fell on its side next to the track. The first part of the passenger train was crushed. Subsequent investigations showed that the freight train had most likely passed a red signal. The track had been planned to be equipped with PzBPunktförmige Zugbeeinflussung
PZB or Indusi is an intermittent cab signalling system and train protection system used in Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Romania, Israel and on one line in Canada....
for years, however at the time of the accident, it still ran exclusively on optical signals.
Since many people were severely injured, it was considered likely that the death toll could rise in the immediate aftermath of the incident. By 31 January, only two of the dead had been identified, as many of those killed did not carry identification. At least some of the people killed were of foreign nationality.
Trains involved
The passenger train involved in the incident was a lightweight Baureihe 648 operated by Harz Elbe Express, which was traveling from MagdeburgMagdeburg
Magdeburg , is the largest city and the capital city of the Bundesland of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Magdeburg is situated on the Elbe River and was one of the most important medieval cities of Europe....
to Halberstadt
Halberstadt
Halberstadt is a town in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt and the capital of the district of Harz. It is located on the German Half-Timbered House Road and the Magdeburg–Thale railway....
. The freight train was operated by the Peine-Salzgitter company and carried calcium carbonate
Calcium carbonate
Calcium carbonate is a chemical compound with the formula CaCO3. It is a common substance found in rocks in all parts of the world, and is the main component of shells of marine organisms, snails, coal balls, pearls, and eggshells. Calcium carbonate is the active ingredient in agricultural lime,...
. It had a total mass of about 2700 tons.
Aftermath
About 100 workers, composed of police and specialized rescue workers, were involved in the rescue efforts. Ambulances were used to transport wounded, as heavy fog meant helicopters could not operate.Two days after the incident, it was announced that the engineer of the freight train was being investigated for "alleged involuntary manslaughter" and was under suspicion of failing to stop for a red signal prior to the crash. On 1 February, it was reported that investigators believed that the freight train had passed both a warning and a stop signal prior to the crash. Investigators hoped to question the operator of the freight train, who was in a state of shock at the time, later that week.
In response to the crash, the national rail operator Deutsche Bahn
Deutsche Bahn
Deutsche Bahn AG is the German national railway company, a private joint stock company . Headquartered in Berlin, it came into existence in 1994 as the successor to the former state railways of Germany, the Deutsche Bundesbahn of West Germany and the Deutsche Reichsbahn of East Germany...
said that it would improve safety systems on all single-track rail lines in the country, including adding automatic braking systems as required.