A 26-year-old Greek man has been taken into custody in Germany after allegedly fatally assaulting a ticket inspector on a regional train, authorities said, prompting widespread concern over safety on public transportation.
The incident occurred on the evening of Monday, February 2, shortly after a train departed from Landstuhl in the Rhineland-Palatinate region. The victim, 36-year-old Serkan C., a father of a family, was conducting a routine ticket inspection when he asked a group of four passengers, aged 20 to 30, to present their tickets. One of them could not provide a valid ticket, sparking a verbal confrontation.
According to police reports and German media, the 26-year-old then physically attacked the inspector, striking him repeatedly in the head. Despite attempts by another staff member to intervene, the victim collapsed inside the train carriage. Passengers immediately alerted authorities.
Serkan C. was rushed to a hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries early Wednesday morning. The suspect, who reportedly has no permanent residence in Germany, was arrested at the scene and later remanded in custody by a judge who cited flight risk. He faces charges of homicide.
Evelyn Palla, director of Deutsche Bahn, expressed her shock and sorrow over the incident: “The tragic death leaves me speechless and deeply saddened. I extend my condolences to Serkan C.’s family, friends, and colleagues. We condemn this violent act in the strongest terms and mourn the loss of our colleague.”
In tribute, a one-minute moment of silence was observed at train stations across the region, underscoring the gravity of the attack and raising questions about security measures for railway staff.
Investigators continue to probe the exact circumstances surrounding the assault, including any involvement of other passengers, while awaiting autopsy results to confirm the precise cause of death.
