Teenager Injured by Electric Shock While Climbing Freight Train in Hamburg

In Hamburg, a 14-year-old boy from Ukraine suffered severe injuries after climbing onto a freight train. The incident occurred on July 25, 2025, around 10:20 PM, when the teenager and three friends attempted to climb onto a tank wagon located at track 3 of the freight bypass near Seehafenstraße.

While on the train, the boy experienced an electric shock due to an arc from the overhead power lines, which resulted in significant injuries. Despite his condition, he managed to make his way to Seehafenstraße, where he sought assistance from a 35-year-old passerby who promptly called emergency services.

The federal police quickly secured the area as freight operations were ongoing. Emergency responders, including police and fire services, arrived swiftly to provide aid. The injured teenager was subsequently transported to a hospital for further treatment. As of now, the federal police have not released any updates regarding his health status.

One of the boy's companions, also 14 years old, was located at the scene and taken to the Hamburg Harburg federal police station. Additionally, two other youths, aged 13 and 15, were found following an extensive search that involved a police helicopter. After engaging in preventive discussions with law enforcement, these two were returned to their guardians.

The incident site was handed over to the Deutsche Bahn's emergency manager shortly after midnight on July 26, 2025. The electric overhead line was damaged due to the electric shock, necessitating the closure of the track for safety reasons.

Authorities have initiated administrative proceedings against the four teenagers involved. Preliminary investigations have found no evidence suggesting involvement in any graffiti-related offenses. The police reiterated the dangers of trespassing in the rail area, emphasizing that the overhead lines carry a voltage of 15,000 volts and are always live.