A Romanian worker was electrocuted by 15,000 volts while carrying out work on the railway infrastructure near Munich

A 49-year-old Romanian worker was seriously injured on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at around 1 p.m. near Munich, Germany, after being struck by an electric arc generated by an overhead contact line carrying 15,000 volts. The man was taking part in authorized railway infrastructure maintenance work on the section between the München-Westkreuz and München-Neuaubing stations.

The electrical discharge occurred while the worker was working on the system that powers suburban S-Bahn trains. He suffered severe burns to the upper part of his body and a fracture to one arm. According to the Federal Police, his injuries are serious, but his life is not in danger.

Professional firefighters from Munich intervened to retrieve the man and provided first aid at the scene. He was later taken to a hospital in Munich for treatment.

The railway section had been closed to traffic to allow the work to be carried out. The Munich Federal Police have opened an investigation to establish the circumstances of the accident. Authorities warn that an electric arc can cause serious burns even without direct contact with the conductor, because electricity can travel through the air.