Fire on Berlin-Leipzig rail line disrupts ICE services, causing delays and cancellations

A blaze erupted along the railway embankment between Jüterbog and Ludwigsfelde in Brandenburg, likely ignited by a hot brake on a freight train. The fire spread across several hundred meters of track and into nearby vegetation, prompting the closure of the Berlin‑Leipzig line.

Deutsche Bahn halted and later rerouted ICE and IC services, leading to cancellations and delays of up to three hours on routes between Berlin and Halle/Leipzig, as well as Berlin‑Erfurt and Berlin‑Riesa/Dresden. Firefighters deployed more than 60 personnel, battling the flames for several hours before finally extinguishing the fire late in the evening. The line reopened around 22:00, but lingering disruptions continued as staff recovered from the incident.

The railway operator has not yet assessed damage to the tracks, and further delays may occur while repairs are completed.