Suspected arson to disrupt rail traffic in Berlin for days

Long-distance, regional, commuter and freight rail services in the German capital Berlin are expected to be disrupted for days due to a cable fire that authorities believe was deliberately set.

Rail operator Deutsche Bahn said on Friday that a fire erupted at a cable shaft in Berlin's Charlottenburg district overnight, with several signals and switches put out of action.

As a result, rail traffic between Berlin's central railway station and the western district of Spandau has seen delays, diversions and cancellations. Hundreds of trains have been impacted so far on the heavily used route.

A technical cause for the fire has been ruled out, Deutsche Bahn said. Berlin's S-Bahn train service, which is operated by Deutsche Bahn, said in a separate statement that "vandalism" was to blame.

The Berlin Criminal Investigation Department has taken charge of the case.

Deutsche Bahn said repairs were already under way.

"Because several cables are affected, the repair work will continue over the weekend. Train services are expected to be restricted until the beginning of next week," the company said.

One of the hardest hit train lines was the so-called Ringbahn, which runs on a circular route around central Berlin.