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Passenger Clings to High-Speed Railjet, Triggers Emergency Stop in Austria

The ordeal caused only a seven-minute delay before Austrian Railways opened a formal safety inquiry.

Multiple OEBB (Austrian Federal Railways) Cityjet trains are at platforms of Wien Westbahnhof railway station in Vienna, Austria, on June 7, 2025. The station serves regional and suburban routes and remains a key transport hub within the Austrian railway network. (Photo by Michael Nguyen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Overview

  • A 24-year-old Algerian man grabbed the exterior of a departing Railjet at Sankt Poelten on August 10, forcing the train to halt under emergency brakes.
  • The Zurich-to-Vienna service incurred a seven-minute delay but no one was injured during the rescue.
  • Crew members responded after the man banged on carriage windows to attract attention, allowing staff to bring him safely onboard.
  • Vienna police led the passenger away at Meidling station and Austrian Railways is reviewing station safety and departure protocols.
  • Rail officials cite this as part of a wider pattern of life-threatening stunts, including a January case of a Hungarian man clinging to a German high-speed train for 20 miles.