According to the federal police, two people died in a train accident in Hürth near Cologne on Thursday. According to initial investigations, a train ran into a group of workers. Several people were injured. The exact number is still unclear, said a police spokesman on Thursday. Firefighters tended to the injured.

As the "Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger" reported, the accident is said to have happened at a level crossing. According to a railway spokeswoman, it was the Intercity (IC) 2005, which was traveling from Emden towards Koblenz. The first report was received by the railway shortly after 11 a.m., the accident must have happened shortly before. Emergency manager and emergency service are on site. The railway line has been closed for the time being. How the accident happened is being investigated. Since there were passengers on the train and several witnesses observed the incident, pastors were on duty.

More information about the identity of the dead was not initially available. It was also unclear whether it was construction workers from the railways or other companies. They are said to have been employed at the scene of the accident on behalf of Deutsche Bahn.

Note: This article has been updated several times.