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Gelsenkirchen: Children place stones on tracks, causing ICE emergency brake
On Saturday, October 3, 2026, several children placed gravel stones on the tracks near the Gelsenkirchen main station, causing significant disruption to rail services. An ICE train, specifically ICE 916, struck the stones, forcing the driver to perform an emergency brake. The incident resulted in property damage to a railway switch, though no passengers were injured.
Federal Police (Bundespolizei) identified four suspects: three girls aged 11, 12, and 14, and a 13-year-old boy. The children reportedly acted out of “curiosity.” The minors were taken to the police station and later released to their legal guardians.
The incident led to a complete closure of the affected section, causing four trains—two ICE and two Regional-Express services—to stop on the tracks. An investigation has been launched into dangerous interference with rail traffic and property damage.
Entities
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 5 SOURCES] Children placed gravel stones on the tracks near Gelsenkirchen main station. www.nachrichten-heute.net · www.halternerzeitung.de · schlaunews.de · www.dorstenerzeitung.de · www.ruhrnachrichten.de
- [● 5 SOURCES] No passengers were injured during the incident. www.nachrichten-heute.net · www.halternerzeitung.de · schlaunews.de · www.dorstenerzeitung.de · www.ruhrnachrichten.de
- [● 5 SOURCES] A 13-year-old boy was also identified as a suspect. www.nachrichten-heute.net · www.halternerzeitung.de · schlaunews.de · www.dorstenerzeitung.de · www.ruhrnachrichten.de
- [● 5 SOURCES] The incident caused property damage to a railway switch. www.nachrichten-heute.net · www.halternerzeitung.de · schlaunews.de · www.dorstenerzeitung.de · www.ruhrnachrichten.de
- [● 5 SOURCES] The children stated they acted out of curiosity. www.nachrichten-heute.net · www.halternerzeitung.de · schlaunews.de · www.dorstenerzeitung.de · www.ruhrnachrichten.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] An investigation for dangerous interference with rail traffic and property damage has been launched. www.halternerzeitung.de · www.dorstenerzeitung.de · www.ruhrnachrichten.de
- [● 5 SOURCES] Police detained three girls aged 11, 12, and 14. www.nachrichten-heute.net · www.halternerzeitung.de · schlaunews.de · www.dorstenerzeitung.de · www.ruhrnachrichten.de
- [● 5 SOURCES] An ICE train performed an emergency brake after running over the stones. www.nachrichten-heute.net · www.halternerzeitung.de · schlaunews.de · www.dorstenerzeitung.de · www.ruhrnachrichten.de
- [● 5 SOURCES] The children stated they placed the stones out of curiosity. www.nachrichten-heute.net · www.halternerzeitung.de · schlaunews.de · www.dorstenerzeitung.de · www.ruhrnachrichten.de
- [● 2 SOURCES] The driver of ICE 916 performed an emergency braking maneuver after hitting the stones. www.nachrichten-heute.net · schlaunews.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] An investigation has been launched for dangerous interference with rail traffic and property damage. www.halternerzeitung.de · www.dorstenerzeitung.de · www.ruhrnachrichten.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] Authorities have initiated an investigation into dangerous interference with rail traffic and property damage. www.halternerzeitung.de · www.dorstenerzeitung.de · www.ruhrnachrichten.de