Germany: Train Traffic Halted on June 23 Due to Deutsche Bahn Communication Failure
On June 23, train traffic in Germany was completely halted due to a major communication system failure at Deutsche Bahn. Trains were delayed, and passengers were offered compensation. Services gradually resumed after midnight.
In Germany, train traffic across the country was completely halted on the evening of June 23. The cause was a massive failure in the digital railway radio network GSM-R, which provides wireless communication between train drivers and control centers.
Due to the malfunction, all passenger and freight trains were delayed at stations, and the Berlin S-Bahn (urban rail) operations were also paralyzed. Huge queues formed at Berlin's main station and other locations. After midnight, traffic gradually began to resume.
Evelyn Palla, head of German railways, stated that after a 90-minute disruption, all trains were running again thanks to an emergency system. Deutsche Bahn issued taxi and hotel vouchers to passengers, and in Frankfurt am Main, recommended Deutschlandticket holders apply for compensation up to 120 euros. Delays and cancellations are still being observed on several S-Bahn lines in Berlin.