A brutal attack on a railway employee occurred on a high-speed ICE train running from Hanover to Berlin. A 35-year-old female passenger, traveling without a valid ticket, punched the train manager, causing injuries that prevented him from continuing his duties. Due to the incident, the train was stopped in Stendal, where approximately 100 travelers were forced to leave the carriages and continue their journey via another connection. The aggressive woman was detained by the federal police.

Brutal punch attack

A 35-year-old woman punched the train manager in the stomach after being confronted about an invalid ticket.

Passenger evacuation

Approximately 100 people had to leave the ICE train in Stendal due to the victim being unable to continue working.

Charges against the assailant

Police are investigating charges of fraud, bodily harm, and trespass.

The incident occurred on Tuesday morning on an ICE train heading towards Berlin. During a routine ticket check, a 35-year-old citizen of Ivory Coast presented a "Quer-durchs-Land-Ticket," which is valid for regional travel but not for long-distance trains. Despite an offer to pay a surcharge and being shown an alternative route, the passenger refused to leave the train in Wolfsburg. After the train departed, the woman deliberately approached the train manager and punched him in the stomach, also damaging his uniform in the process. The victim of the attack reported severe pain, necessitating a halt to his work. The situation forced the operator to interrupt the journey at Stendal station. Bundespolizei intervened at 8:45 AM, detaining the assailant immediately after the train entered the platform. Approximately 100 passengers had to leave the carriages, causing significant disruptions to long-distance traffic on the route to the German capital. Criminal proceedings have been initiated against the woman, covering fraud, trespass, bodily harm, and property damage. In recent years, Germany has been grappling with a rising wave of aggression against onboard personnel; in 2025, over 3,000 attacks on Deutsche Bahn employees were recorded. This event evokes particular emotions in German society, as it took place just a few weeks after a tragic incident in Rhineland-Palatinate. In early February of this year, ticket inspector Serkan C. was fatally beaten on a regional train by a passenger without a ticket. That crime sparked a nationwide debate on safety in public transport and the need for better protection of railway workers from escalating violence by passengers. „Eine 35-Jährige hatte Polizeiangaben zufolge den Zugchef mit der Faust angegriffen, weil sie wegen eines ungültigen Fahrscheins den Zug verlassen sollte.” (According to police reports, a 35-year-old woman attacked the train manager with her fist because she was supposed to leave the train due to an invalid ticket.) — Federal Police

Mentioned People

  • Serkan C. — Railway employee fatally beaten on a regional train in early February 2026.