Mysterious Alarms in Cologne’s Underground: Are Drug Users to Blame?
In recent months, Cologne’s underground has been experiencing an unusual phenomenon: fire alarms are repeatedly triggered in several subway stations.
For many passengers, this has become a tiresome routine. And the teams at Cologne’s public transport company (KVB) are now being called out almost daily to check the alarms. But the result remains surprisingly consistent each time: “There is no fire. nowhere.”
Who is behind the false alarms?
What initially appears to be a technical malfunction quickly reveals itself as a pattern. Most false alarms occur in the same places – and always when the subway stations are unusually empty.
the stations Severinstraße, Kartäuserhof, Chlodwigplatz and Bonner Wall are especially affected. Anyone descending there during the day experiences a depressing scene: drug addicts sitting in corners, squatting on steps or seeking shelter from the wind and cold.
[Image of Chlodwigplatz subway station with caption: “The Chlodwigplatz subway station is developing into a junkie hotspot. There are many benches here and the station is generally not very busy.” Photo: Eduard Bopp/imago images]
The Kölner Verkehrs-Betriebe (KVB) confirm that their employees are increasingly encountering people with addiction problems there. According to information from the Kölner rundschau,the KVB is now considering closing the affected stations during off-peak hours to curb the escalating situation.
“We are observing an increasing concentration of drug users in these stations,” says KVB board member Stefanie schild.”This not only leads to the triggering of fire alarms, but also to a feeling of insecurity among passengers.”
The police are also aware of the problem. “We are increasing our presence in the affected stations and carrying out more controls,” says a police spokesman. However, the situation remains arduous. As soon as the police leave, the drug users return.
The KVB is now examining various measures to improve the situation.In addition to the possible closure of stations, these include increased video surveillance, improved lighting and a stronger presence of social workers. However, a fast solution is not in sight. The problem is complex and requires a coordinated approach from all those involved – the KVB, the police, social workers and the city administration.
Cologne’s Subway System Plagued by False Alarms and Drug Use at Problem Stations
Cologne’s public transport operator, KVB, is struggling with frequent false alarms triggered by fire detection systems at four subway stations: severinstraße, Heumarkt, Rathaus, and Karthäuserhof. These incidents require KVB teams to manually reset the systems, consuming time, personnel, and resources.
Why These Stations?
the issue is concentrated on stations served exclusively by line 17, Cologne’s least-used subway line. The low passenger volume and limited oversight have unfortunately turned these stations into a refuge for drug users, contributing to the frequent triggering of the fire alarms.
A Growing Problem
According to reporting from Bild, the stations have become a focal point for drug-related activity, leading to repeated disruptions and the need for manual system resets. https://www.bild.de/regional/koeln/koeln/kvb-subway-stations-plagued-by-false-alarms-and-drug-use-8c396487d29015e31ffbdb5bfb929cc5
City Response: A New Addiction Help Center
The city of Cologne is planning a new addiction help center modeled after successful programs in Zurich. This center aims to provide support and resources for individuals struggling with substance abuse. However, the project is not expected to be completed until at least the end of 2026, and more realistically in 2027.
Until the new center is operational, the city and KVB are working to develop an interim solution that balances security concerns with a humane approach to addressing the underlying issues.