ICE route Munich-Berlin open again after fire – delays possible!

ICE route Munich-Berlin open again after fire – delays possible!

After intensive work, the damage on the important ICE route between Munich and Berlin, which occurred after a fire in an underpass in Hirschaid near Bamberg, has now been repaired. From today, July 14, 2025, trains can run again, but travelers must expect individual delays, such as BR.de reported.

The fire suddenly broke out in the early morning hours around 3 a.m. on July 4th and caused massive damage to the railway infrastructure. The investigations by the Bamberg criminal police point to negligent causes, but so far there is no evidence of intentional arson. The load-bearing capacity of the structural part affected by the fire still needs to be tested.

Consequences for rail traffic

The source of the fire was in a railway underpass, where wooden pallets burst into flames and the fire spread to the adjacent embankment. The diversion led to significant train cancellations, especially on the express trains between Nuremberg and Erfurt. Travelers had to travel up to 1 hour and 40 minutes longer because the ICE trains did not stop in Coburg, Erlangen and Bamberg. Other intercity trains between Nuremberg and Leipzig and between Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe and Gera also had to be canceled. For passengers on regional trains and S-Bahn trains, there was also a replacement service with buses and large taxis, such as TZ.de holds on.

The material damage is estimated at around 25,000 euros, although the follow-up costs for rail transport are likely to be much higher. The central connections between Berlin and Munich remained closed until at least Thursday.

Background to arson

In the recent past there have been repeated massive disruptions to rail traffic, including due to arson. On April 9, 2025, dozens of ICE trains were diverted and delayed when a cable fire broke out in Munich. The investigators are currently examining a possible connection between these incidents and suspect a left-wing extremist motivation behind the acts n-tv.de reported.

The situation remains tense and travelers are encouraged to inform themselves about current timetables and possible alternatives. Despite the restored train connections, patience and vigilance are required because irregularities can always occur on a central transport route like this.