Overview

• The train struck an overhead-line support cable between Köln Messe/Deutz and Köln-Mülheim around 17:30 on August 15, causing roof damage and a power outage.
• With temperatures near 30°C, climate control failed and crews cut through a slope to evacuate about 600 passengers off the open track over several hours.
• At least one passenger was treated for circulatory problems and taken to hospital while all others were bused back to the station by 21:30.
• Deutsche Bahn towed the disabled ICE to its Köln-Nippes workshop and scheduled overnight repairs to the overhead line, prompting reroutes, cancellations and delays.
• The incident is the latest in a summer-long series of ICE disruptions from overhead-line and power failures that have repeatedly forced evacuations and network adjustments.