German rail workers charged after fatal alpine derailment

Charges have been laid against three rail workers in connection with a fatal accident that occurred in Garmisch-Partenkirchen in the German Alps last summer, dpa learned on Friday.

Investigators accuse the three of causing death through negligence. Munich prosecutors declined to comment on the case.

On June 3 last year, a regional train running from the alpine resort to the Bavarian capital of Munich derailed. Five people died and 78 were injured.

An investigation revealed that the accident had been caused by damaged concrete sleepers.

Deutsche Bahn, Germany's state rail company, has said it will replace several hundred concrete sleepers in response to the accident.

Earlier reports said that a train driver's report on the damaged sleepers had not been passed on.