A fire in a cable duct has caused significant disruptions to Deutsche Bahn's crucial railway line between Duisburg and Düsseldorf.

Passengers are facing delays of up to 30 minutes, with some stations completely unserviced, prompting the establishment of a shuttle bus service for stranded travelers.

The State Protection Department is investigating the incident as a deliberate act of sabotage, with police confirming it was a targeted attack.

The RE3 line is currently limited to operations between Gelsenkirchen and Oberhausen, with the segment to Düsseldorf canceled.

In response to the situation, construction work on a parallel freight line in Duisburg-Wedau has been temporarily halted to allow some train traffic to be rerouted.

This incident is reminiscent of previous sabotage acts against Deutsche Bahn infrastructure, including a notable fiber optic cable cutting in October 2022 that caused widespread disruptions.

Moreover, a similar fire in February 2025 in Berlin, claimed by a group opposing the Tesla factory, also impacted regional train lines.

The affected railway line is vital, with Deutsche Bahn operating 700 to 800 connections daily on this route, making it one of the most important in Germany.

As a result of the disruptions, various regional express lines are being rerouted, missing stops at Düsseldorf Airport.

According to a Bahn spokesperson, the disturbances are expected to last until later tonight.

Authorities have ruled out accidental causes and technical defects, focusing their investigation on the possibility of intentional wrongdoing.

Technicians from Deutsche Bahn are actively working to replace approximately 60 meters of damaged cables, but it remains uncertain when normal service will resume.