Cable theft near Roitzsch paralyzes S-Bahn traffic around Halle

Extent in Local and Long-Distance Transport

The damage also affected long-distance transport: ICE trains between Halle and Berlin were delayed because diversions and single-track sections extended travel times. According to Deutsche Bahn, travel times in long-distance and regional transport are "currently still being extended. Final repair work is ongoing."

According to Deutsche Bahn, the previously closed section of track near Bitterfeld could be used again early in the evening. This created a central prerequisite for a gradual normalization of operations, although remaining work on the damaged control and safety technology was still ongoing. The railway did not comment on the exact time of full commissioning.

Repair Work and Remaining Tasks

When regular service on S-Bahn lines S2 and S8 could be fully resumed remained unclear on Wednesday. Deutsche Bahn stated that it could not yet say "how quickly the track will be repaired and the trains will run normally again." Travelers were asked to check the railway's information portals and MDR SACHSEN-ANHALT before starting their journey.

MDR SACHSEN-ANHALT had already reported on the incident near Roitzsch on Tuesday evening, identifying "non-ferrous metal thieves" as the cause. The perpetrators escaped unidentified, and the police are investigating. Similar cable thefts in the region have repeatedly caused closures and delays in recent years.

Information for Travelers

For commuters between Halle, Dessau, and Leipzig, the day meant considerable detours and waiting times at replacement stops. According to the railway, the shuttle buses operated on the affected routes but were temporarily heavily utilized due to the parallel failures. Travelers on ICE trains towards Berlin had to expect extended travel times.

Overall, the incident once again highlighted the vulnerability of rail infrastructure to metal theft, which has repeatedly led to hours-long closures nationwide in recent years. Deutsche Bahn referred to ongoing security measures without providing details on the specific extent of the damage at Roitzsch. No official information was available on Wednesday regarding the amount of material damage or the value of the stolen materials.