By Ayhan Simsek
BERLIN (AA) - A ticket controller in Germany died Wednesday after being attacked by a passenger earlier this week, according to officials, sparking debate about violence against transportation workers.
Serkan C., a 36-year-old Turkish immigrant, was checking tickets Monday on a regional train in Landstuhl when he encountered four people. When he tried to remove a 26-year-old passenger who could not produce a valid ticket, the man attacked him, said police.
The ticket controller collapsed after receiving severe blows and was given artificial respiration by police who arrived at the scene in 10 minutes. Medical teams provided additional treatment before transporting him to a hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Police have detained the suspect -- a Greek national without permanent residency in Germany. Prosecutors have opened a manslaughter investigation.
At 3 pm local time, railway stations across Germany observed a moment of silence. Speaking from Berlin’s central station, Deutsche Bahn personnel director Martin Seiler praised the victim's professionalism.
"We mourn Serkan, a colleague who was simply doing his job," said Seiler. "Our colleague acted in an exemplary manner. He attempted to de-escalate and stepped back, yet he was defenseless against this incredibly violent attack."
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt called for significantly stronger legal protections for transportation workers.
"The increasing violence against public sector employees and other service providers such as railway workers requires decisive consequences," Dobrindt said in a statement. "I expect that the perpetrator will be punished with the full force of the law for his brutal act. The criminal protection for employees at service companies such as the railway must be significantly strengthened. The sentencing framework must be expanded and minimum sentences for attacks must be significantly increased."