Three dead, several injured after passenger train derails in Germany

Emergency personnel work at the site where a local train derailed causing the death of several passengers, in Riedlingen near Biberach, Germany. (Reuters)

Three people were killed and several others were injured when a passenger train derailed in southwestern Germany on Sunday, according to reports from AFP.

Around 100 passengers were on board the train when the accident occurred at approximately 6:10 PM local time near the town of Riedlingen in the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg. The train was travelling a route of roughly 90 kilometres (55 miles) between Sigmaringen and Ulm when it derailed in a forested area.

The cause of the crash is currently under investigation; however, German media have reported that a landslide may have been responsible, as severe storms have swept through the region.

In a social media post, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed his condolences to the families of the victims. He stated that he was in close contact with both the interior and transport ministers and had requested that they provide emergency services with all the necessary support.

German national rail operator Deutsche Bahn stated that there were "many injured" and expressed its condolences to the victims and their families. The cause of the train derailment is still unclear, and the company has pledged to assist the authorities in their investigation.