Police intervention initiated after an unaccompanied backpack, associated with ICE, causes train disruptions.

On September 5, 2025, an unattended piece of luggage was discovered in the toilet area of an Intercity Express train travelling from Berlin to Frankfurt am Main. The incident, which occurred at around 2 pm, set off a series of events that caused delays and cancellations for several trains on the route.

Halle (Saale) Central Station was the scene of the police operation. Federal Police officers were dispatched to the arrival platform of the train, and a handler with an explosives detection dog was called in at 3:06 pm. The contents of the backpack were not visible, adding to the uncertainty.

The luggage was deemed safe after the explosives detection dog did not display any behavior indicative of explosives. However, the incident caused a total delay of 87 minutes for eleven trains due to the police operation. Parts of the train and then the entire Intercity Express were evacuated, and platforms 6/7 were closed.

Inappropriate luggage care can have far-reaching implications for other passengers and their relatives. The Federal Police strongly advises passengers to keep an eye on their luggage at all times to prevent theft and potential police interventions. Neglecting luggage care can lead to financial consequences, but the Federal Police did not provide details on the financial impact on the affected Intercity Express.

The luggage contained sports and school items, and a phone number was found, leading to the contact details of a 16-year-old German's legal guardian. The train attendant recalled a young passenger who had asked about a toilet and was carrying the backpack, but the person could not be found in the train. Announcements over the loudspeaker were unsuccessful in locating the owner of the luggage.

The Federal Police did not mention any other immediate consequences of the luggage incident. However, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of properly caring for luggage. The Federal Police did not specify the financial consequences of the police intervention.

The affected Intercity Express was partially cancelled, resulting in further disruptions for passengers. The exact number of passengers affected was not disclosed. The Federal Police is currently investigating the incident to determine the cause and any potential consequences.

Police intervention initiated after an unaccompanied backpack, associated with ICE, causes train disruptions.