Overview
- The U72 derailed at 5:43 a.m. in Düsseldorf-Holthausen, where the coupled cars jackknifed and struck overhead line masts, requiring heavy cranes for recovery.
- Police reported 13 injured including one seriously hurt, while emergency services said nine people were taken to hospitals and additional passengers were treated on scene.
- Rheinbahn and police are analyzing the tram’s event data recorders and switch systems after excluding a signal box error in the affected area.
- Investigators are examining whether a wrongly set switch and related technical failure or human error led to the derailment, with evidence collection ongoing.
- Rheinbahn said U72 service could resume soon, but the Holthausen loop and damaged infrastructure will keep sections closed and U76 service curtailed for several days, with replacement buses in place.