In a dramatic incident on an Austrian high-speed train, a 24-year-old Algerian man was arrested after clinging to the outside of a moving train. The man had reportedly stepped off the train at St Poelten station, 64 kilometers west of Vienna, for a cigarette break. As the train began to depart, he found himself left behind and made the perilous decision to jump onto the space between two carriages.

Emergency Stop and Arrest

The man, in a desperate attempt to reboard, started banging on the train's windows to alert passengers. This prompted the train conductor to perform an emergency stop, allowing the man to be brought safely onboard. The train, a railjet service traveling from Zurich to Vienna, was delayed by seven minutes due to the incident. Austrian railways spokesperson Herbert Hofer criticized the man's actions as "irresponsible," emphasizing the potential risks not only to himself but also to emergency responders.

Safety Concerns and Legal Consequences

Railjet trains, known for their high speeds of up to 230 km/h, pose significant dangers to anyone attempting such a stunt. The man was taken into custody by police upon the train's arrival at Vienna's Meidling station. His actions have sparked discussions about railway passenger safety and the need for stricter regulations to prevent similar incidents.

Comparisons to Past Incidents

This event echoes a similar occurrence in Germany earlier this year, where a Hungarian man clung to a high-speed train after it departed during his cigarette break. Both incidents highlight the risks associated with stepping off trains during brief stops and the importance of adhering to safety protocols.