Simulated train accident leads to genuine harm

In the heart of Hamburg, a city area witnessed an unexpected incident on September 7, 2025. The incident, which turned out to be a part of a large-scale disaster response exercise, involved a train, a truck, and several cars.

The exercise, named "Zugvogel 2025", was held in Hamburg-Bergedorf. Over 170 mostly volunteer responders from the Stormarn district and Hamburg participated in this exercise, with support from the Technical Relief Organization (THW), rescue services, and around 120 volunteers acting as casualties.

The event attracted the attention of several media outlets, reporting on the incidents that occurred during the disaster protection exercise in Hamburg-Bergedorf. Alongside the professional responders, over 120 extras were also on-site during the train accident.

Unfortunately, the warm weather seemed to have taken a toll on some participants. It's possible that some had not drunk enough water, contributing to their health issues. Two extras participating in the exercise complained of feeling unwell and were taken to the hospital by Hamburg colleagues. Another person involved in the exercise suffered a minor knee injury and was treated on-site.

In a surprising turn of events, rescue forces from the Stormarn district, initially participating in the exercise, were required to provide assistance due to an unexpected situation. More than 200 personnel from disaster protection, rescue services, and THW were present to manage the train accident.

One responder from the Stormarn district was treated for circulatory problems during the incident. The incident was documented by two drone teams, and the operation will be evaluated in cooperation with a university of applied sciences.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of preparedness and the critical role of emergency responders in ensuring public safety. As we continue to learn from such exercises, we can only hope that such real-life situations remain rare.