National Express RE1 train bypasses Düsseldorf stations, causing passenger panic

A National Express regional express (RE1) train caused significant panic among passengers on Saturday, September 26, after bypassing several major stations in North Rhine-Westphalia without stopping. The train, traveling from Duisburg toward Cologne, skipped key locations including the Düsseldorf Airport and Düsseldorf Central Station.

For approximately one hour, passengers experienced a lack of communication, with no announcements or updates provided via digital displays or train staff. This silence led to widespread fear among travelers, with some suspecting a hijacking, a terrorist attack, or that the driver had collapsed. Some passengers reportedly attempted to call emergency services or considered using the emergency brake.

National Express stated that the train was not on an uncontrolled journey, though the specific cause for the unplanned diversion and the lack of immediate information remains a point of concern for those affected.