After a train attendant was violently killed in Rhineland‑Palatein, Deutsche Bahn announced a nationwide moment of silence for Wednesday afternoon. The company urged all colleagues, rail workers and passengers to join at 3 p.m., saying that announcements, a brief pause or even silence would be acceptable, though regular train service would continue for safety reasons.
Deutsche Bahn’s chief, Evelyn Palla, described the incident as “shocking and sad” expressing deep sorrow for the attendant, Serkan C., and his family. She condemned the “heinous act of violence” and called on politics and society to explain why such outbursts happen, calling the day “a black day for all rail workers in the country”.
The attack occurred Monday evening on a regional express leaving Landstuhl for Homburg. According to investigators, the attendant was checking a passenger who had no valid ticket. When the man was told he would be removed from the train, he suddenly assaulted the employee. The attendant suffered life‑threatening injuries and was resuscitated on site before succumbing to his wounds, with his death reported on Wednesday.