ICE door opened at 200 km/h: Federal police seek suspect in Lower Franconia
On the Munich–Dortmund route, the emergency release of an ICE door was activated. Around 300 emergency personnel were deployed; no one was injured.
Emergency release on ICE 528: Major operation at Karlstadt
The federal police are searching for an unknown suspect who activated the emergency release of a train car door on ICE 528 on the Munich–Dortmund route on the evening in question — at a speed of approximately 200 km/h. This is reported by n-tv citing the Würzburg Federal Police Inspectorate.
The driver stopped the train shortly after 19:30 at the entrance portal of the Schönrain tunnel near Karlstadt in Main-Spessart district. On board were 238 passengers and eight members of Deutsche Bahn staff. The affected door opened in the rear section of the train.
Plexiglass pane smashed
The emergency buttons for door opening are protected by plexiglass panes. According to police, the pane in the ICE in question had been smashed. Whether someone intentionally opened the door or whether it was an accident remains unclear. Deutsche Bahn ruled out a technical malfunction: "Doors on the ICE do not simply open while the train is in motion," explained a Deutsche Bahn spokesperson. The company declined to comment on the question of deliberate interference.
The federal police are investigating for misuse of emergency aid equipment — a criminal charge that covers intentional or knowing deployment of emergency calls and the impairment of accident prevention measures.
Nearly 300 emergency personnel on site
Initially it was unclear whether anyone had fallen from the moving train. Federal and state police, as well as the fire brigade and emergency services, searched the track using drones, dog units, a helicopter, and thermal imaging cameras. No one was found.
Deutsche Bahn dispatched its rescue train from Würzburg with emergency doctors, medical specialist personnel, and fire service personnel to the stopping point, as the Main-Spessart district fire chief's office reported. In total, nearly 300 emergency personnel were deployed. No one was injured.
Five-hour forced stop
For passengers and staff, the incident meant a stop of more than five hours. Police took details from approximately 120 travellers from the rear section of the train in Lohr am Main and questioned them about their observations. Around 1 a.m., the ICE finally continued under its own power; the track was released again at approximately 2:30 a.m.
Source: n-tv