A 24-year-old man from Algeria has found himself in custody following a daring leap onto a high-speed train in Austria. The incident unfolded at a station in St Poelten, located around 64 kilometers (approximately 60 miles) west of Vienna. Local media reports indicate that the man, after stepping out for a cigarette, realized the train was departing but decided to jump onto the space between two carriages instead.
Desperate to make his way back on board, he began banging on the windows to grab the attention of fellow passengers. His risky decision prompted an emergency stop so that he could be let in. According to the Austrian tabloid Heute, tensions flared as the man engaged in a heated discussion with the train conductor over his reckless move.
This dramatic event occurred aboard the train service traveling from Zurich, Switzerland, to Vienna, which arrived at its destination seven minutes behind schedule. An OBB spokesperson voiced severe concerns regarding the man's actions, emphasizing the potentially fatal consequences of such irresponsible behavior.
The arrest of the Algerian man echoes a similar incident that took place earlier this year in Germany, where a fare-dodger clung onto the exterior of a high-speed train after leaving his luggage behind for a smoke. The Hungarian national explained to authorities that he couldn't bear to part with his belongings. Both occurrences highlight the urgent need for passengers to remain cautious and aware of their surroundings while traveling.
