Rail accident kills employee in Germany

One railway employee died in a rail accident on the line near Halle-Ammendorf in the eastern German state of Saxony-Anhalt in the early hours of Friday. Three other employees were injured, according to the Federal Police, reported dpa.

Railway operator Deutsche Bahn has expressed its sympathy. "We are deeply saddened by the accident that occurred last night near Halle-Ammendorf," a DB spokesperson said on Friday.

"Our thoughts are with the fatally injured track worker and the injured as well as their families and friends. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the victim's relatives. To the injured, we send our get-well wishes."

The accident occurred in a construction site area around 3 am (0200 GMT) on Friday. Track work had been taking place there, the spokesperson said.

The Federal Police and the Criminal Investigation Department are currently investigating the circumstances of the accident.

According to an official order, the section of track is still closed.

DB long-distance trains are being diverted via the Leipzig/Halle Airport. There, the direction of travel will be changed. ICE trains from Hamburg/Berlin to Frankfurt am Main and Munich are affected.

It was not yet possible to predict when the closure would be lifted.

In regional traffic, there will be cancellations on the lines towards Sangerhausen and Naumburg. Freight traffic is also affected by the temporary closure.