Iranian woman, 18, killed after being dragged by Sudanese man onto train tracks in Germany

An 18-year-old woman was killed after being pushed onto subway tracks in Hamburg, Germany on Jan. 29, with the man who allegedly shoved her also dying at the scene.

The incident occurred at Wandsbek Markt subway station at around 10:07pm, when the woman was standing on the platform and was suddenly seized by a man, before being forced in front of an oncoming train, according to German police and media Bild.

Both the woman and the man were pronounced dead at the scene.

Attacker had recent contact with police

Police said there is no indication that the two individuals knew each other prior to the incident.

Investigations into the exact circumstances surrounding the incident are ongoing.

German media later reported that the man, a 25-year-old from South Sudan known under the alias of Ariop A, had previously come to the attention of authorities.

According to UK tabloid The Sun, he had been arrested just days earlier after allegedly assaulting police officers, but was later released while investigations were still underway.

The outlet also reported that he had a history of aggressive and violent offences.

Authorities confirmed that the man entered Germany in mid-2024 through a humanitarian reception programme and held a valid residence permit.

He was living in container-style accommodation in Hamburg at the time of the incident, Bild reported.

Witnesses told local media that the man appeared to be acting erratically moments before the fatal encounter.

One bystander was quoted as saying the man stumbled towards the teenager and said: “I’ll take you with me,” before allegedly pulling her onto the tracks seconds later.

Victim identified as Iranian national, tributes pour in

The victim was later identified as an Iranian national named Fatemeh, also known as Asal.

She had been living in a women’s shelter in Norderstedt after fleeing domestic violence.

Tributes have since poured in on social media, with family and friends sharing photos and messages in her memory.

Her mother posted an image of her daughter holding flowers on Instagram, writing: “My daughter is an angel.”

Police investigation ongoing

The LKA 26 criminal investigation unit initially attended the scene before the case was transferred to the LKA 41 homicide squad, which is now working with the public prosecutor’s office, according to The Standard.

Police are continuing to collect evidence, including CCTV footage and witness statements.

In the aftermath of the incident, the German Red Cross crisis intervention team was deployed to provide psychological support to eyewitnesses.

The station remained cordoned off overnight, with the two bodies later removed in wooden coffins, and public transport services disrupted.

Top photos via BorderHawkNews/X, ISefati/X