authorities are preparing to use controlled explosives on railway tracks near Elze, Germany, as crews work to repair extensive damage caused by a freight train derailment earlier this week.The incident, which occurred Tuesday afternoon, has disrupted rail service between Hannover and Göttingen and is expected to continue impacting travel through at least early February. As a safety precaution, residents within a 300-meter radius of the site are being temporarily evacuated while the delicate work is carried out.
AUDIO: Zug entgleist: Metronom Strecke Elze-Nordstemmen bis Februar gesperrt (1 Min)
Stand: December 28, 2025 10:23 Uhr
Authorities are planning to use explosives on railway tracks near Elze, Germany, later today. The tracks on the line between Hannover and Göttingen were damaged earlier this week when several freight cars derailed, disrupting rail service in the region.
Police said the controlled explosions are scheduled between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. local time. The operation is intended to expedite repairs and allow the line to reopen as quickly as possible, according to a statement released overnight Sunday. A police spokesperson told NDR Niedersachsen that the tracks are under tension, and manual work could pose a risk of injury. The explosions may also cause some disruptions to traffic on the B1 federal highway.
Residents Must Evacuate Homes and Apartments
Table of Contents
- Residents Must Evacuate Homes and Apartments
- Repairs Will Take at Least Until Early February
- Current Travel Options from Hannover to Göttingen
- Current Travel Options from Göttingen to Hannover
- Travelers Should Expect Longer Travel Times
- Freight Cars Derail: Federal Police Investigate Cause of Accident
The Technical Relief Agency (THW) in Elze has announced a 300-meter exclusion zone around the accident site. Access to this area is prohibited. Residents living within that radius must temporarily evacuate their homes and apartments, the THW said in a post on Instagram.
Repairs Will Take at Least Until Early February
The private railway operator Metronom reported on December 26th that the derailed freight cars caused extensive damage to tracks, signals, and overhead lines. According to Metronom, repairs to the track system near Elze will now take until at least the beginning of February. Experts had previously anticipated the section would be repaired by early January.
Current Travel Options from Hannover to Göttingen
- From Hannover Central Station every two hours (departure at ’36) with the Metronom RE2 via Sarstedt to Nordstemmen, then continue by bus via Elze to Banteln
- or from Hannover Central Station hourly with the S4 (departure at ’19) via Bismarckstraße, Messe/Laatzen, Rethen (Leine) and Sarstedt to Barnten, then continue by bus via Nordstemmen and Elze to Banteln
- then from Banteln hourly (departure at ’05) with the Metronom RE2 onwards to Göttingen, with all scheduled stops
Current Travel Options from Göttingen to Hannover
From Göttingen Central Station hourly with the Metronom RE2 to Banteln – with all scheduled stops. In Banteln, continue with emergency bus service.
- with the bus to Nordstemmen: there change to the Metronom RE2 departing every two hours (’09) via Sarstedt to Hannover Central Station
- or with the bus to Barnten: change to the hourly S-Bahn line S4 (departure ’17) to Hannover Central Station with a stop in Sarstedt, Rethen (Leine), Messe/Laatzen and Bismarckstraße
- or with the bus to Barnten (initially until December 29th) change to the extra RE10 line departing hourly in Barnten (’53) via Sarstedt to Hannover Hbf
December 27, 2025 6:18 PM
An earlier version of this text stated that passengers could travel on the Metronom from Göttingen to Barnten. However, passengers traveling from Göttingen to Barnten must currently use emergency bus service. We have clarified this passage in the text.
Travelers Should Expect Longer Travel Times
According to Metronom, “single delays” are also possible on the Hamburg-Hannover line. Passengers should check the company’s website, app, or WhatsApp for the latest information before traveling. Metronom warns that changed train numbers in electronic schedules may cause display errors. Long-distance rail service operated by Deutsche Bahn is not affected by the incident.
Freight Cars Derail: Federal Police Investigate Cause of Accident
Passengers must currently – as shown here in Banteln – partially switch to buses.
The accident occurred on Tuesday afternoon. According to federal police, one car of a freight train derailed. Shortly afterward, additional cars derailed and overturned. This caused damage to concrete sleepers over a four-kilometer stretch of track, and a power mast was also knocked down. A counter-passing freight train sustained minor damage – no one was injured. The federal police said the second train did not derail, contrary to earlier reports. The cause of the accident is currently under investigation.
