German authorities have detained a 26-year-old Greek national in connection with the death of a train conductor following a violent confrontation during a ticket check in southwestern Germany.
Police said the incident unfolded late Monday near Landstuhl, close to Kaiserslautern, when conductor Mr Serkan, 36, asked a group of four passengers to show their tickets. One passenger was found without a valid ticket and told to leave the train.
As the train began to depart, the suspect allegedly assaulted the conductor, striking him repeatedly in the head.
The conductor, a father of two, collapsed and was taken to hospital, where he died around 24 hours later.
Authorities confirmed the suspect has no registered permanent residence in Germany and has been remanded in custody after appearing before a magistrate. The case is being investigated as suspected manslaughter.
The death prompted nationwide mourning among rail workers, with a minute’s silence observed at train stations on Wednesday.
Deutsche Bahn chief executive Evelyn Palla said she was “stunned and saddened,” adding: “All of us at Deutsche Bahn strongly condemn this horrific act of violence and the completely senseless death of our colleague. Today is a dark day for railway workers across the country. We are in mourning.”
Source: Ekathimerini.
