Renowned Historian Thomas Großbölting Dies in Hamburg Train Accident

The 55-year-old academic, known for his groundbreaking work on church abuse and DDR history, was traveling to a lecture when the collision occurred.

Thomas Großbölting, Director of the Forschungsstelle für Zeitgeschichte in Hamburg and a prominent historian, died in a train collision involving an ICE and a truck in Hamburg's Rönneburg district on February 11, 2025.
The accident resulted in one fatality, Großbölting, and left 25 others injured, including six with moderate injuries; the truck driver was released after initial questioning as investigations continue.
Großbölting was widely respected for his research on sexual abuse in the Catholic Church and efforts to address historical injustices in East Germany (DDR).
Since 2020, he had led the Forschungsstelle für Zeitgeschichte and was deeply involved in shaping academic and societal debates through interdisciplinary approaches.
He is survived by his wife and four children, with tributes pouring in from colleagues and Hamburg officials, recognizing his academic contributions and personal warmth.