A train conductor has died from injuries sustained in an attack during a ticket inspection on a regional train in Rhineland-Palatinate. The suspected assailant was arrested at the scene.
The 36-year-old Deutsche Bahn employee was critically injured on Monday evening aboard a train leaving Landstuhl station. According to police, the attack occurred after the conductor attempted to remove a passenger without a valid ticket. The victim required resuscitation on-site and was rushed to the hospital, where he succumbed to his severe injuries on Wednesday.
The Kaiserslautern criminal directorate has launched an investigation, initially on suspicion of attempted manslaughter, following the arrest of a 26-year-old suspect at the scene.
In a statement, Deutsche Bahn CEO Evelyn Palla condemned the “horrific excess of violence” and the “absolutely senseless death” of the employee with “the utmost firmness.” She called on society to reflect on why such violent outbursts continue to occur.
The incident has sparked renewed criticism from transport unions regarding staff safety. Martin Burkert, head of the EVG train union, stated he was “shocked and stunned,” but emphasised that railway staff are primarily “angry”. He criticised years of increasing attacks on public transport staff without adequate political response.
Burkert attributed part of the problem to austerity measures, noting that on many local trains, a single conductor is often alone without security personnel present, eroding safety for both staff and passengers.
