Germany Probes Political Motive After Sabotage Paralyses Cologne-Düsseldorf Railway

Train traffic between Cologne and Düsseldorf in Germany was severely disrupted after unknown individuals cut underground railway cables in at least two locations near Leverkusen, causing signaling failures and widespread delays. Initially considered vandalism, police are now investigating the incident as a possible politically motivated sabotage, with the federal security service involved and the country on high alert for threats potentially linked to Russia. This attack has led to rerouting and cancellations of trains, not only locally but also affecting long-distance routes, including those between Hamburg and Berlin. The incident follows a series of other security concerns in Europe, including suspected Russian cyberattacks on airports and GPS jamming affecting European officials. German authorities have not ruled out a political motive, and officers specialized in politically motivated crimes have identified preliminary leads. The sabotage underscores ongoing tensions and security challenges related to critical infrastructure in the region.