Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder (CDU) expressed his condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of a train attendant who was killed in a violent incident in Rhineland‑Palatinate.
On Wednesday afternoon he spoke from Berlin Hauptbahnhof during a nationwide minute of silence, describing the tragedy as a “black day for the entire railway community”.
Schnieder stressed that, together with Deutsche Bahn, they must take measures to improve safety for employees and for passengers on trains. He said this responsibility also rests with the wider society in Germany, but he did not provide details on possible actions, noting that the focus at present is a day of mourning.
The assault took place Monday evening on a regional express leaving Landstuhl for Homburg. Preliminary reports indicate that the attendant was checking a passenger who had no valid ticket. When the man was to be removed from the train, he attacked the attendant, who suffered life‑threatening injuries and was resuscitated on site. The attendant’s death was confirmed and announced on Wednesday.