Overview
- A Dutch inland vessel struck the provisional railway bridge over the Hunte on Tuesday, September 15, tearing off part of its wheelhouse while both crew members walked away uninjured.
- After the collision the ship sailed under its own power to a mooring and Bremen traffic control forbade it from continuing.
- Deutsche Bahn’s emergency team inspected the temporary span, the rail line was closed for checks and service was restored the same evening.
- Authorities opened an inquiry by the Wasserschutzpolizei to determine the cause and reports differ on whether river navigation was briefly halted or remained unaffected.
- The crossing is a known accident hotspot where provisional spans that cannot open limit tall traffic, and Deutsche Bahn plans a hub‑turn replacement with greater clearance by winter 2027/2028 to reduce future collisions.