According to police, the incident occurred late on Monday evening near Landstuhl, close to Kaiserslautern. The inspector, Serkan C., asked four passengers to present their tickets. One passenger did not have a valid ticket and was instructed to get off the train.
As the train began to depart, the 26-year-old suspect suddenly attacked the inspector, striking him repeatedly in the head with his fists.
Death Caused by Brain Hemorrhage
The inspector collapsed with severe injuries and was taken to hospital, where he died approximately 24 hours later. According to preliminary autopsy results released by the Saarbrücken Public Prosecutor’s Office, the cause of death was a brain hemorrhage resulting from the blows to his head.
Authorities clarified that the attacker used only his hands and no knife or other weapon.
The Suspect
German authorities confirmed that the suspect is a Greek national with no registered permanent residence in Germany. He stated that he lives in Luxembourg, and there is no record of prior convictions or police history in Germany.
Following his appearance before a judicial authority, he was remanded in custody. The case is being investigated as manslaughter, while police are also reviewing CCTV footage from inside the train.
Mourning Among Railway Workers
The death of the inspector has caused deep shock and sorrow among railway employees across Germany. On Wednesday, a minute of silence was observed at railway stations nationwide following a call by the EVG railway workers’ union.
The CEO of Deutsche Bahn, Evelyn Palla, said she was “shocked and deeply saddened,” adding:
“We condemn in the strongest possible terms this horrific act of violence and the utterly senseless death of our colleague. Today is a dark day for railway workers across the country.”
Father of Two and Active Member of the Community
Serkan C. had worked for Deutsche Bahn for 15 years and lived in Ludwigshafen. He was a single father of two boys, aged 11 and 13. His children were by his side in the hospital during his final days, as he failed to regain consciousness from a coma.
Relatives and friends described him as calm, kind, and always willing to help, with strong involvement in community activities. At his most recent birthday, he had asked guests to donate money to support cancer charities instead of bringing gifts.
Following the tragic incident, Germany’s railway community is calling for immediate measures to strengthen the safety of railway employees, stressing that such an incident must never be repeated.
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