Cologne Central Station: Deutsche Bahn Intercity Express Train Crashes into Platform Bollard

At Least 20 Injured, Several in Serious Condition

Cologne, Germany - A Deutsche Bahn Intercity Express (ICE) train crashed through a platform bollard at Cologne Central Station on Monday, injuring at least 20 people, several of whom are in serious condition.

The incident occurred at around 10:30 am local time as the ICE train, traveling from Amsterdam to Berlin, was pulling into the station.

According to a spokesperson for Deutsche Bahn, the train's emergency brakes were activated, but it was unable to stop in time.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation, but initial reports suggest that the train may have been traveling too fast.

Emergency Services Respond

Emergency services quickly arrived on the scene and evacuated the train and the station.

The injured passengers were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.

The station was closed for several hours while the crash site was cleared and the train was removed.

Investigation Underway

The German Federal Railway Authority (EBA) has launched an investigation into the crash.

Investigators are examining the train's data recorder and interviewing witnesses to determine the cause of the accident.

Deutsche Bahn has expressed its regret over the incident and has pledged to cooperate fully with the investigation.

Similar Incidents

This is not the first time that an ICE train has been involved in an accident.

In 2010, an ICE train derailed near Hanover, Germany, killing one person and injuring dozens more.

In 2011, an ICE train caught fire near Berlin, forcing passengers to evacuate.

Cologne Central Station Reopens

Cologne Central Station reopened on Tuesday morning, but some delays and cancellations are still expected.

Passengers are advised to check with Deutsche Bahn for the latest information on train schedules.

The crash has raised concerns about the safety of ICE trains and the need for stricter regulations.