The German train network, Deutsche Bahn, is investigating allegations of racism after a train employee allegedly insulted passengers over an intercom during a stop. Reportedly, a group of people were blocking the doors, thus preventing the train from moving.
The incident happened at a stop in Darmstadt on a regional express train running between Mannheim to Frankfurt.
Witnesses said they heard a number of terms, including “illiterates,” “idiot,” and the most controversial of all, “headscarf squadron,” an apparent slur against Muslims.
However, on this train, there happened to be an “anti-racism coach,” Moaad B., who took the alleged comments public on his Instagram account, according to Welt newspaper.
Deutsche Bahn released a statement saying the alleged behavior does not align with the company’s standards.
If the case turns out to be confirmed, the employee will receive the appropriate employment law consequences, according to a Deutsche Bahn spokeswoman.
The incident has sparked a national debate, with social media users warring over the details of the case.
The passenger who went public with the complaint said that the train was delayed and that people blocking the doors further delayed the train from moving on.
The details of this case remain unclear, but there is no doubt that mass immigration has made Germany’s public transport less safe, with sexual assaults and violent incidents soaring in recent years. For example, foreigners commit 59 percent of all sexual assaults in trains and train stations, with sexual crimes doubling since 2019.
As for train delays, it is unclear exactly what occurred in this incident that may have delayed the train, but Deutsche Bahn has seen the number of delays and late trains soar, reaching a record high in 2024. The train network also paid a record amount of compensation to passengers due to late trains.
Deutsche Bahn cited poor train infrastructure as the reason behind 80 percent of cases. However, other incidents, such as police operations against perpetrators, weather-related delays, and accidents, also consistently lead to late train service.