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ICE of Deutsche Bahn (symbolic image)
Photo: Guido Kirchner / dpa
Around 200 passengers have spent several hours on the open track near Hamburg in a broken down ICE from Binz. Among them was the head of the Federal Network Agency, Klaus Müller.
A technical defect had led to the fact that the ICE 1675 in the direction of Frankfurt could not continue on Monday, said a spokesman for Deutsche Bahn on Tuesday morning. Initially, the ICE was to be pulled away with the help of an auxiliary locomotive, but this did not work. The approximately 200 passengers had to wait about four hours before they were able to change to a replacement train with the help of the fire brigade.
Many reacted annoyed, as a dpa reporter reported. The passengers had not been informed during the long waiting time in the train about the reason for the stop, said Müller, therefore, before the change. After four hours, he felt a little tired and annoyed, like everyone else.
Asked about other train breakdowns, he replied: "No comment. I wish Deutsche Bahn every success in its investment plans.« Among other things, the Federal Network Agency examines the conditions under which all railway undertakings can use the rail network.
The disruption is said to have had no effect on further operation. Other trains were not affected, it was said.
wit/dpa