A spokeswoman for state-owned rail operator Deutsche Bahn said the situation in the Ruhr region and northern North Rhine-Westphalia had somewhat normalized during Friday morning’s rush hour, but trains were still unable to run at Bochum’s main station near Dusseldorf. Long-distance trains were diverted. Regional and commuter trains were also canceled and diverted.
The Bochum signal box was no longer functional due to cable theft. In addition, radio communication in North Rhine-Westphalia was disrupted during the night due to the crime, a railway spokeswoman said. Therefore, for security reasons, the train drivers were not allowed to continue their journey. It disrupted the movement of freight trains and about 20 passenger trains.
Police later reported that they had caught and arrested two suspects who stole railway cables at the central train station in the western German city of Bochum overnight.
Two men, aged 53 and 50, were interviewed and gave detailed statements, a federal police spokeswoman said on Friday. The police believe that the thieves were hiding in the metal cables, there is no evidence of a deliberate attempt to sabotage the work of the railway. The third offender is still being sought.
During the night, the suspects cut about 25 meters of cable near the station. The police quickly arrived after a railway breakdown was reported.
Tags: Electric cable thieves paralyzed train traffic Germany
