Lyce · Hybrid Watch

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Railway signalling cables deliberately cut near Leverkusen, disrupting Cologne–Düsseldorf train services.

On 22 September 2025, unidentified perpetrators deliberately severed fibre-optic signalling cables along the Cologne–Düsseldorf railway near Leverkusen-Rheindorf. According to Cologne police and prosecutors, the attackers opened an underground cable shaft at approximately 01:15 and used a cutting tool to destroy signalling infrastructure, disabling a railway signal box. Deutsche Bahn reported cable damage at at least two locations along the affected railway section, although their individual positions were not publicly specified. The disruption forced the suspension or diversion of regional and long-distance services, including RE1, RE5 and S6, causing extensive delays throughout the day. The line reopened at approximately 18:20 following repairs. German state-security investigators examined the possibility of politically motivated sabotage, but no perpetrators, foreign intelligence involvement or Russian connection were established.

Occurrence
2025-09-22
Publication
2025-09-22
First observed
2026-10-21T16:30:43.294Z
Review status
Not assessed
Countries
DE
Updated
2026-10-21T16:30:43.294Z

Attribution

Pattern-compatible

Facts

No facts

Sources

  1. Role
    discovery_lead
    Date
    2025-09-22T20:49:18Z

    On 22 September 2025, unidentified perpetrators deliberately severed fibre-optic signalling cables along the Cologne–Düsseldorf railway near Leverkusen-Rheindorf. According to Cologne police and prosecutors, the attackers opened an underground cable shaft at approximately 01:15 and used a cutting tool to destroy signalling infrastructure, disabling a railway signal box. Deutsche Bahn reported cable damage at at least two locations along the affected railway section, although their individual positions were not publicly specified. The disruption forced the suspension or diversion of regional and long-distance services, including RE1, RE5 and S6, causing extensive delays throughout the day. The line reopened at approximately 18:20 following repairs. German state-security investigators examined the possibility of politically motivated sabotage, but no perpetrators, foreign intelligence involvement or Russian connection were established.