Fire on Embankment Disrupts Leipzig-Berlin Rail Traffic
Trebbin, Brandenburg – A significant embankment fire along the Leipzig-Berlin railway line in Trebbin, Brandenburg, caused major disruptions to train services on Friday, May 24, 2026. The blaze, which erupted around midday, was intensified by strong winds, forcing trains to a halt and leaving hundreds of passengers stranded for several hours.
Police and fire brigades launched a large-scale operation to contain the fire and secure the affected rail section. “The railway line between Ludwigsfelde and Trebbin has been closed since 1:24 PM due to an embankment fire,” a railway spokesperson confirmed to BILD. The spokesperson could not specify how long the closure would last. Initial hopes for a quick resumption of service around 2:30 PM were dashed as police deemed the route too dangerous to reopen.
Multiple Fire Sites and Emergency Response
According to a spokesperson for the fire department control center, there were multiple fire sites along the railway line. “Our priority now is to prevent the flames from spreading to the forest,” the spokesperson stated. Approximately 50 firefighters were deployed to combat the blaze. According to BILD’s information, a hot axle on a freight train is believed to be the cause of the fire.
Passengers Endure Hours of Delays
Passengers, including BILD reporter Julia Heinke, were stuck on ICE 600 in Trebbin for several hours. After about 2.5 hours, they were given the option to disembark in Brandenburg or return to Leipzig. No replacement buses were provided, leading many to attempt to arrange taxis, some waiting for hours. Furthermore, passengers received no information about alternative train connections while on board.
One passenger remarked, “We’re now waiting for a friend to pick us up.” Others returned on ICE 600, arriving in Leipzig at 6:15 PM, where they then sought alternative connections to reach their destinations.
Train Cancellations and Diversions
“We regret the inconvenience caused to travelers,” a railway spokesperson said. Train services were partially diverted via Dessau/Wiesenburg, with isolated train or stop cancellations also occurring. Affected services included ICE trains between Berlin and Halle/Leipzig, ICE Sprinter trains between Berlin and Erfurt, and some IC trains between Berlin and Riesa/Dresden.
Forest Fire Averted, Service Resumes Late
Shortly before 7:00 PM, BILD reached the incident commander on site, who stated, “Our forces will likely be busy with extinguishing work for several more hours.” A forest fire near Thyrow was narrowly averted. The fire was finally extinguished later in the evening. According to the railway, traffic resumed around 10:00 PM on Saturday evening, though some trains started with delays due to staff availability issues from the earlier problems.
