Ep 3. Eschede Train Disaster

In episode 3 of What Went Wrong: Countdown to Catastrophe season 1, the focus is on the Eschede Train Disaster. This tragic event occurred on June 3, 1998, when a high-speed train traveling from Munich to Hamburg derailed and crashed into a bridge near the town of Eschede in Germany. The disaster claimed the lives of 101 people and injured more than 100 others, making it the deadliest train accident in German history.

The episode begins by providing some background information on the train involved in the accident, the Intercity Express (ICE) 884. It was a state-of-the-art train that was designed to travel at high speeds of up to 250 km/h (155 mph). The ICE 884 was also equipped with advanced safety features such as automatic braking and derailment detection systems.

However, despite these safety features, the train still derailed on that fateful day. The episode delves into the investigation that followed the accident and the various factors that contributed to the disaster. One of the main factors was a broken wheel on one of the train's carriages. The broken wheel caused the carriage to derail and collide with the others, causing a chain reaction that ultimately led to the crash.

The investigation also revealed that the train was traveling at a high speed of 200 km/h (124 mph) at the time of the derailment, which was above the recommended speed limit for that particular section of the track. The episode explains how this contributed to the severity of the accident and how the automatic braking system failed to slow the train down in time.

The episode also explores the human element of the disaster, highlighting the impact it had on the survivors and the families of the victims. The show features interviews with some of the survivors and family members, who share their harrowing experiences and the long-lasting effects the disaster had on their lives.

Another aspect of the episode is the response to the disaster. The show covers the emergency services' efforts to rescue and treat the injured and the overwhelming response from the public. It also examines the aftermath of the accident and the changes made to the railway system in Germany to prevent similar incidents from happening.

Overall, episode 3 of What Went Wrong: Countdown to Catastrophe season 1 is a somber, yet insightful exploration of the Eschede Train Disaster. The show provides a comprehensive overview of the incident, the investigation, and the impact it had on those affected by it. It also serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of safety measures and the consequences that can arise when they fail.