German railway security chief condemns suspected sabotage attack

A suspected left-wing sabotage attack on a major German railway line between Hamburg and Berlin on Friday drew outrage from the head of security for national railway Deustche Bahn, reported dpa.

"People who want to travel with us - with one of the most climate-friendly means of transport - are massively affected by train cancellations and delays and won't be able to reach their destinations," Hans-Hilmar Rischke said on Friday.

An online post claiming credit for the fires was published on a left-wing website. Police have not yet determined its authenticity.

"We are in close contact with the authorities and hope for the quick apprehension of those responsible," Rischke said.

Passengers reacted with anger at the chaos caused by the vandalism, although several noted that Deutsche Bahn trains have been plagued by chronic delays in recent years. Recent company reports show that more than a third of all Deutsche Bahn long-distance trains arrive at least 15 minutes late.

"The railroad itself is not very punctual. The fact that it's vandalism makes a difference," a 67-year-old man from Hesse in western Germany told dpa while waiting at Hamburg Central Station on Friday. "The next train seems to be on time - but that can always change."

"I have no sympathy at all for vandalism," said a 60-year-old man from southern Germany who was heading home. "I'll say this much: it's pure chaos."

Few passengers at the Hamburg train station expressed any understanding for a left-wing sabotage attack on the railroad: "Trains are good for the environment, after all. I don't understand that," said one traveller.