By Ebi Kesiena
An Algerian national is facing possible prosecution in Austria after a daring and dangerously reckless attempt to reboard a moving high-speed train while it was travelling at over 100 kilometres per hour.
The 24-year-old passenger, whose name has not been released, had boarded the Railjet service from Innsbruck to Vienna. Midway through the journey, the train made a scheduled stop at St. Pölten, a town about 60 kilometres west of the Austrian capital. It was there that the man stepped off for what should have been a quick cigarette break, leaving his luggage inside the carriage.
But at exactly 10:03 p.m. local time, the Railjet departed on schedule without him. In a desperate bid to retrieve his belongings, the man sprinted alongside the accelerating train and managed to wedge himself between two carriages. Holding onto the outside of the train as it gained speed, he knocked on the windows, startling passengers and alerting the conductor.
The train, which had already reached speeds of around 100 km/h, was brought to an emergency stop a few kilometres away from the station. Railway staff safely pulled the man inside, avoiding what could have been a deadly accident. Austrian police later intercepted him at Vienna-Meidling station, where it was discovered that he did not possess valid residency documents. He was promptly taken into custody.
Authorities condemned the act as both reckless and life-threatening, warning that such stunts not only endanger the individual involved but also put passengers and railway staff at risk.
The Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) confirmed that the incident caused only a minor delay of seven minutes to the Vienna-bound service but said it is investigating the case internally. Police indicated that the man will likely face legal action, including charges related to endangering public safety.
The episode has reignited debate in Austria about railway safety protocols and the need for tighter security measures at intermediate stops. Transport experts note that while trains in the EU operate on strict timetables, incidents like this highlight the importance of passenger awareness about departure schedules — and the dangers of ignoring them.
In similar cases across Europe, individuals attempting to board moving trains have suffered severe injuries or death, prompting railway operators to run public awareness campaigns. ÖBB has urged travellers to plan their breaks accordingly, stressing that “no missed train is worth risking a life.”
