Passengers advised to check before travelling as some services still disrupted
The railway line between Hanover and Minden has reopened after being closed for several hours due to a lightning strike.
The strike occurred at around 10am on Thursday, causing damage to the overhead power lines.
German rail operator Deutsche Bahn said that all services on the line had been suspended while repairs were carried out.
Passengers were advised to check before travelling as some services were still disrupted.
Delays expected
Deutsche Bahn said that it expected delays of up to 60 minutes on some services.
Passengers were advised to allow extra time for their journeys.
The company said that it was working to restore services to normal as soon as possible.
Lightning strikes a common cause of rail disruption
Lightning strikes are a common cause of rail disruption in Germany.
In 2019, there were over 1,000 lightning strikes on the German rail network.
These strikes can cause damage to overhead power lines, signalling systems and trackside equipment.
Deutsche Bahn said that it was investing in new technology to reduce the impact of lightning strikes on its network.
What to do if you are caught in a lightning strike
If you are caught in a lightning strike, there are a few things you should do to stay safe:
* Seek shelter in a sturdy building or vehicle.
* Stay away from windows, doors and metal objects.
* If you are outside, crouch down in a low spot and make yourself as small a target as possible.
* Once the storm has passed, check yourself and others for injuries.
Kind regards
E. Thompson
