Sudanese migrant who dragged woman, 18, onto rail tracks where both were killed by train was arrested by police but released just a few days before
It has emerged that a Sudanese migrant who dragged an 18-year-old woman onto train tracks in Germany and killed them both had been arrested two days before by police and freed.
The shocking incident that happened in front of passengers at Wandsbek Markt subway station in Hamburg on Thursday evening saw a man, 25, grab a teenage woman waiting for a train and pull her onto the tracks in front of an incoming train.
Both were struck by the incoming train at around 10.07pm and died at the scene.
But it has now been reported that the man, named as ‘Ariop A.’ by German press, had a history of violent offences.
Just two days before the incident at Hamburg, he allegedly attacked police officers.
He was arrested and police began proceedings against him for resisting arrest and for aggravated assault, but he was later released.
Witnesses reported that a man had been walking along the platform beforehand and may have been intoxicated, according to Nonstopnews.
One witness told the outlet that the man then stumbled toward a young woman saying ‘I’ll take you with me’ before pulling her onto the tracks without warning.
Passengers were shocked by a horrific incident at a Hamburg station on Thursday evening, which saw a teenage woman waiting for a train pulled onto the tracks and killed by a man, who also died
Authorities say it is not believed they knew each other prior to the incident, which is being investigated as murder
The incident happened on Thursday evening at around 10.07pm and was attended by police, paramedics and fire crews as well as the German Red Cross’ crisis intervention team who were deployed to provide psychological support to eyewitnesses
According to German police, the man is believed to be from South Sudan while the victim was an Iranian national named Fatemeh D.
Tragically, Fatemeh reportedly fled domestic violence and had most recently been living at a women’s shelter before she was killed, BILD reported.
Authorities confirmed that they were investigating the incident as a suspected murder, as investigators spent Thursday night securing evidence at the train station.
Investigators said there is currently no evidence to suggest the two victims knew each other and that enquiries into the circumstances remain ongoing.
The LKA 26 criminal investigation unit initially led the on-site response.
Due to the suspicion of homicide, the case was later transferred to the LKA 41 homicide squad, which is now working closely with the public prosecutor’s office.
Officers are now gathering and reviewing evidence, including footage and witness statements.
Following the fatal incident, the German Red Cross crisis intervention team was deployed to provide psychological support to eyewitnesses.
According to German police, the man is believed to be from South Sudan while the victim was an Iranian national named Fatemeh D
Tragically, the 18-year-old victim had reportedly fled domestic violence and had last stayed at a women’s shelter
Both bodies were removed from the station in wooden coffins. Officers are now gathering and reviewing evidence, including footage and witness statements
The two deceased were removed from the station in wooden coffins and police and emergency responders remained present at the station throughout the night.
The incident also caused major disruption to public transport.
Last August, a young girl was killed in Lower Saxony after being allegedly pushed in front of a train by an Iraqi man.
16-year-old Liana K from Ukraine was waiting for the train in the town of Friedland when 31-year-old Muhammad A, a rejected asylum seeker, allegedly pushed the teen in front of a freight train.
The man was arrested two weeks later on suspicion of murder after his DNA was found on the deceased girl’s shoulder.
Now, prosecutors have said the asylum seeker was diagnosed with schizophrenia at the time of the crime.
Instead of a criminal trial, they are now trying to have him permanently committed to a psychiatric facility.
