60 German high-speed trains withdrawn for safety checks

German rail officials took 60 high-speed trains out of service last night amid mounting speculation that Wednesday's rail disaster in the northern town of Eschede was caused by a fault in the train itself.

Deutsche Bahn, the German railway company, announced that the entire first generation of InterCity Express (ICE) trains were being recalled for inspection immediately.

A speed limit of 160 k.p.h. (100 m.p.h.) was imposed on all other high-speed trains, including the second generation of ICEs built after 1993.

The Deutsche Bahn chairman, Mr Johannes Ludewig, said that the first generation trains, which are just seven years old, will be subjected to the most rigorous testing.

"The trains will only return to service when we are satisfied that they are in perfect working order. The safety of our passengers comes first," he said.

Police announced last night that part of the track five miles south of Eschede was damaged, fuelling speculation that part of the train became derailed before it struck the bridge that ultimately collapsed on top of it. Some experts suggested that one carriage became derailed just before the crash and that the accident happened when a switching signal sent this carriage careering into the bridge.

Rescue workers were still attempting to uncover the last carriages of the train at the crash site in Eschede last night, but they no longer expect to find anyone alive inside.

No survivors were found yesterday. The death toll rose to 93, including three people who died in hospital from injuries sustained in the crash.

Relatives of the dead and injured started arriving in the area yesterday, but many victims remain to be identified. Trains do not carry passenger lists and few of those travelling between Hanover and Hamburg made a reservation.

"It was mid-morning in the middle of the week, so there was no need to reserve a seat. Unfortunately, this makes it hard for us to work out exactly who was on the train," said Mr Jorg Haslinger, who is heading the rescue work of Germany's Federal Border Guard.

Most of yesterday's rescue effort focused on freeing the last two carriages trapped under rubble. Early reports that they were carrying two parties of school children appeared to be unfounded; but the carriages, one of which was a dining car, bore most of the impact of the crash and were crushed to 15 per cent of their original size.

"The people crushed inside there will be very difficult to identify, because many of them may only be part of people. We have very highly skilled forensic experts from the Federal Criminal Office, working closely with pathologists. But it may be weeks or even months before we can identify everyone," Mr Haslinger said.

Chancellor Helmut Kohl and his rival in September's federal election, Mr Gerhard Schroder, both visited Eschede yesterday to express sympathy with the victims and their relatives.

Germans were united in their praise for the rescue operation.

But concern is growing about Germany's high-speed trains, a form of transport that has until now been regarded as incomparable in terms of safety and reliability.