A left-wing activist group claimed responsibility on Saturday for sabotaging a railway line in western Germany.

The group, calling itself 'Angry Birds Commando,' said in a letter posted on the German left-wing website indymedia.org that it placed incendiary devices on the railway line between Cologne and Düsseldorf.

A fire broke out in two places between the city of Leverkusen and the town of Langenfeld on Friday morning, halting train operations and causing disruptions. Firefighters extinguished the flames, but damage to the track remained.

In the online letter claiming responsibility, the group blamed industrial technology for environmental destruction, stating: 'This movement will prevent the planet from being shredded.'

Repair work on the line is expected to continue through Saturday afternoon. The act of vandalism has caused cancellations and delays, and it is unclear when normal operations will resume.

German news agency DPA cited security sources who suspect the letter is genuine. Cologne police have launched an investigation and are appealing for witnesses.

Source: www.dw.com