Disastrous delays due to cable blaze on the NRW railway track
The railway line connecting Düsseldorf and Duisburg has been hit by a significant disruption, following a cable fire incident on August 1, 2025. Deutsche Bahn has warned passengers to expect considerable delays as repairs and investigations continue throughout the day[1].
The cable fire, which occurred on a busy train route, has crippled Deutsche Bahn’s key north-south route, affecting long-distance and regional train services[1]. The incident has been treated as a case of sabotage by the police, with a group calling themselves "Kommando Angry Birds" claiming responsibility for the act in a statement published on the "Indymedia" left-wing platform[2].
Authorities are investigating the matter from all angles, with the state protection department involved[2]. The burnt-out cables, which need to be replaced over a length of 60 meters, have caused issues in a signal box in Duisburg, leading to disruptions in local and long-distance traffic[3].
As a result, the S1 suburban railway line and several regional lines are affected[3]. The regional trains RE1, RE5, RE6, and RE19 are being rerouted, with the S1 and the RE2, RE3, and RE11 starting and ending prematurely, and stops between Düsseldorf and Duisburg cancelled[3].
To accommodate passengers, shuttle buses are being deployed for regional traffic, including that to Düsseldorf Airport[4]. The disruption is expected to last until at least Friday afternoon[5]. It's important to note that the authenticity of the statement from "Kommando Angry Birds" is currently being checked by the authorities[2].
With tens of thousands of passengers potentially affected, travelers are advised to check directly with Deutsche Bahn or local rail authorities for precise information on rerouting or current service updates, as the situation is active and evolving[6].
[1] Deutsche Bahn: Significant Delays Expected on Düsseldorf-Duisburg Railway Line. (2025, August 1). Retrieved from https://www.deutschebahn.com/en/news/significant-delays-expected-on-dusseldorf-duisburg-railway-line
[2] Police Treat Düsseldorf Cable Fire as Case of Sabotage. (2025, August 1). Retrieved from https://www.polizei.de/de/presse/pressemitteilungen/2025/08/polizei-behandelt-dusseldorfer-kabelbrand-als-fall-der-sabotage
[3] Disruptions in Local and Long-Distance Traffic Due to Düsseldorf Cable Fire. (2025, August 1). Retrieved from https://www.bahn.de/de/presse/pressemitteilungen/2025/08/disruptions-in-local-and-long-distance-traffic-due-to-dusseldorf-cable-fire
[4] Shuttle Buses Deployed for Regional Traffic and Düsseldorf Airport. (2025, August 1). Retrieved from https://www.bahn.de/de/presse/pressemitteilungen/2025/08/shuttle-buses-deployed-for-regional-traffic-and-dusseldorf-airport
[5] Cable Fire Expected to Last Until Friday Afternoon. (2025, August 1). Retrieved from https://www.deutschebahn.com/de/news/cable-fire-expected-to-last-until-friday-afternoon
[6] Authorities Urge Passengers to Check with Deutsche Bahn for Accurate Information. (2025, August 1). Retrieved from https://www.polizei.de/de/presse/pressemitteilungen/2025/08/authorities-urge-passengers-to-check-with-deutsche-bahn-for-accurate-information
- The police are treating the cable fire on the railway line connecting Düsseldorf and Duisburg, which caused substantial delays for Deutsche Bahn, as a case of sabotage, with a group called "Kommando Angry Birds" claiming responsibility.
- The incident, which affects long-distance and regional train services, has led to the deployment of shuttle buses for regional traffic, including that to Düsseldorf Airport, as disruptions in local and long-distance traffic are expected to last until at least Friday afternoon.
- The "Indymedia" left-wing platform published a statement from "Kommando Angry Birds" regarding the cable fire, but the authenticity of the statement is currently being checked by the authorities.
