A DB Regio train conductor has died after being attacked by a passenger during a ticket inspection on a regional express service in Germany.
The attack occurred on Monday evening during a routine ticket check. Serkan C. was critically injured by a passenger travelling without a valid ticket. He was a single father of two children.
Railway trade unions renewed calls for stronger protection of onboard staff. The Railway and Transport Union (EVG) said the case underscored a persistent rise in assaults on train personnel during inspections and customer interactions. The German Train Drivers’ Union (GDL) also pointed to repeated warnings about escalating violence against conductors and train crews.
Deutsche Bahn chief executive Evelyn Palla announced plans to convene a security summit in Berlin. According to DB, the meeting will bring together representatives from federal and state authorities, commissioning bodies for regional rail services, the Federal Ministry of Transport, the Federal Police, trade unions, and rail sector stakeholders. The agenda includes short-term security measures and the long-term financing of security personnel in regional and local rail transport, which is currently defined through transport service contracts.
DB confirmed that a donation account has been established to support the family of the deceased employee.
