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The new central train station in Berlin was evacuated late on Thursday evening (January 18) after high winds ripped a steel support weighing several tonnes from the facade. Other supports were hanging loose. Several taxis and other vehicles were damaged by the falling steel and glass. Zhun Zhun Stelzer was sitting in her taxi waiting for passengers when parts of the building facade fell onto the car, breaking windows. She said: "I had to drive to the side first of all. More panes (of glass) could have dropped. First of all all the vehicles drove to the side. Now I am at the bus stop and feel safe." Police spokeswoman Stefanie Kuhn said two other sections of the station had also been damaged and the station had been sealed off to protect passengers. Evacuees were taken to shelters nearby the station. They were given food and drink and offered cots for the night. The new central train station was opened in May 2006. In Cologne, stranded train passengers spent the night on cots and in train wagons. High school students from Bocholt were preparing to sleep in the station as their trip back home from a day trip to Bonn came to an unexpected halt in Cologne. Class teacher Hans Grohn said: "The students are now very relaxed. They have by now mentally prepared for this after it was finally decided that we would stay here. The tension has subsided and now we will spend an interesting night here." German national rail operator Deutsche Bahn suspended most train travel after h...