Dangerous Crowds at Munich Central Station: Construction and Closures Cause Chaos
Munich, May 28 – On Tuesday evening, the area in front of the Starnberg Wing Station at Munich Central Station became a dangerous bottleneck for travelers. Hundreds of passengers were squeezed together, with no forward or backward movement possible at times. The chaotic scenes were primarily attributed to ongoing construction work and the closure of the main S-Bahn line (Stammstrecke).
The incident occurred around 5:53 PM on Tuesday, just minutes before an RB6 train was scheduled to depart for Garmisch from track 32. Passengers attempting to reach their trains found themselves trapped in a dense crowd, unable to move along the platform. Eyewitnesses reported a heated atmosphere, with people filming the chaos in frustration.
Construction Creates Critical Bottleneck
According to a spokesperson for DB Infrago, the Deutsche Bahn subsidiary responsible for infrastructure, the limited space at the Starnberg Wing Station is a direct consequence of ongoing construction. “Due to construction, less space is currently available at the Starnberg Wing Station than usual,” the spokesperson stated. Only a few meters are available between the construction fence and the tracks, creating a severe choke point, especially when multiple trains arrive or depart in quick succession.
Photographs and video footage from Tuesday evening show an unprecedented crush of people. Passengers described being so tightly packed that they could have lifted both feet off the ground and been supported by the crowd. The situation eased slightly on the platform itself, allowing some to make a last-minute dash for their trains.
Main Line Closures Exacerbate the Problem
Beyond the construction, the current closures of the main S-Bahn line are also contributing to the congestion. A DB spokesperson explained that more passengers are now resorting to regional trains, and S-Bahn trains are terminating at the Wing Station. “This can lead to very crowded platforms and backlogs, especially when several trains arrive in quick succession or when passengers gather after a train cancellation,” the company announced.
Travelers at Munich Central Station have grown accustomed to constant changes in routes and access points due to the ongoing construction, which is expected to continue into the next decade as Germany’s most modern and deepest station is built. The area where the crowds gathered on Tuesday is slated for a completely new Starnberg Wing Station, including a modern, 70-meter-high skyscraper.
Measures Taken by Deutsche Bahn
In response to the chaotic scenes, DB Infrago has implemented several measures. S-Bahn trains are now, wherever possible, reversing at tracks 24 and 25 in the main hall instead of the Starnberg Wing Station. Additionally, more DB staff have been deployed to direct passengers and assist with train dispatch. Security patrols by DB Security have also been increased in the Wing Station area. “If renewed overcrowding becomes apparent, individual access points can be temporarily closed at short notice,” DB Infrago stated.
Main Line Closure Extended
The main line closure between Pasing and Donnersbergerbrücke has been extended until Friday, May 29, due to “unexpected obstacles in the construction area.” Further closures of the tunnel under Munich’s city center are expected in June. During these periods, measures such as increased announcements directing passengers to alternative routes, like the U5 subway or tram line 14, will be used to prevent further chaotic situations.
On Tuesday, shortly before 7 PM, passengers arriving from the northern exit near Arnulfstraße via the specially created construction detour found themselves halted by a sweating, complaining crowd at the cross-platform in front of tracks 27 to 36 of the Starnberg Wing Station. Families with small children, some sitting on suitcases, others held aloft by parents, struggled for space and air. Several police officers were attempting to regulate the pedestrian traffic, but the bottleneck remained impassable.
Simultaneously, new waves of people continued to push in from the Arnulfstraße detour – currently the only access point. Those disembarking from arriving regional trains from places like Tutzing or Memmingen had to navigate this narrow passage to exit the station.
Police Intervention and Safety Concerns
“Everyone stop, do not proceed,” police officers repeatedly called out to the continuous stream of people. Initial understanding of the directive was limited, as it was unclear why the throng of commuters and tourists could not board the waiting train. Law enforcement personnel firmly explained that those disembarking from trains had priority, and only then would the platform be cleared for boarding.
Officers from both federal and state police, along with DB Security staff, worked together to manage the crowds and, crucially, to calm the situation to prevent panic. “It was quite cramped and very hot – that can fray nerves,” commented Tim Oberfrank, spokesperson for the federal police responsible for the station, on Wednesday. He reported no major incidents but noted that some individuals had walked across the tracks behind the buffer stops to move faster or escape the crowds. If these individuals had remained on the tracks for an extended period, track closures would have become “absolutely necessary,” leading to further backlogs.
Munich residents will have to contend with these restrictions and changes until well into the 2030s as the new central station takes shape. The current construction site for the deep station is hermetically sealed, but once completed, it promises to be a state-of-the-art facility.
