101 people die when an ICE train derails in Lower Saxony
On 3 June 1998, the Intercity Express “Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen” derailed at a speed of 200 kilometres per hour on the line between Hanover and Hamburg near Eschede, tearing down a road bridge in the process. The most serious accident ever to occur on a high-speed rail line – and in German railway history – claimed 101 lives, seriously injured 70 people and left many more injured.
The subsequent investigation revealed that material fatigue on a wheel tyre triggered a chain of consequential damage that led to the disaster. The wheel tyre that had come off drilled into the wagon floor and was dragged over and damaged some points. This caused the wagon to derail and skid into the pillars of the bridge. The bridge collapsed and blocked the track. The following wagons jack-knifed. Rescue operations were launched immediately, but came too late for too many people.
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