An embankment fire hit the right cable in the middle of the city: since Thursday evening, May 12, long-distance train traffic, and more precisely that of several lines of the German high-speed train (called ICE), has been disrupted, especially between Hamburg and Berlin, where almost nothing works. Disruptions are expected at least until Sunday, May 15 included.
The cable fire occurred near the Sternschanze station in Hamburg, on the connecting line that runs from Altona to the central station via Diebsteich, Sternschanze and Dammtor. It is one of the busiest lines in Germany. The cause of the fire is still unknown, but the police do not assume at this time that it was an external intervention. The company explained that all communication between the signal boxes passed through the affected cable, since it is through it that all signals of the switches are controlled. According to the railroad spokeswoman, it is a 1,000-conductor copper cable that would be very difficult to repair. The extensive repair work is still going on.
From Zuendlappen, 13th may 2022