Germany’s rail network has been hit by a rising wave of criminal activity, with around 2,200 cases of sabotage, arson, dangerous interference with rail operations and metal theft recorded since the start of 2026, according to a report by Bild citing an internal Deutsche Bahn document. <\/p>\n
The reported figure marks a 7% increase compared with the same period last year, highlighting mounting security concerns for one of Europe’s busiest rail systems, News.Az<\/a> reports, citing Reuters<\/a>.<\/p>\n The alleged attacks have had a significant impact on passengers, contributing to more than 220,000 minutes of train delays during the first half of the year, the report said.<\/p>\n Deutsche Bahn declined to comment on the reported internal figures.<\/p>\n The issue came back into focus overnight after a fire damaged a signal control box on the Hamburg\u2013Cuxhaven railway line in northern Germany<\/a>. Police said the blaze affected signalling equipment, disrupting rail operations while authorities investigate the incident.<\/p>\n Germany’s railway infrastructure has repeatedly been disrupted in recent years by cable theft, vandalism and suspected acts of sabotage, adding further strain to a network already struggling with delays, ageing infrastructure and heavy passenger demand.<\/p>\n The latest reported rise in railway-related crime is likely to intensify pressure on German authorities and Deutsche Bahn to strengthen security measures and improve the resilience of the country’s transport infrastructure.<\/p>\n