Germany's national rail operator Deutsche Bahn has announced a sweeping ban on drinking alcohol at all 5,400 of its stations across the country, to be fully in force by 15 October. The decision was triggered by a serious assault last Friday in which a ticket inspector was pushed from a moving train during a confrontation with a drunk fare-dodger. The employee fell onto the trackside and was severely injured, though is now reported to be out of danger. The attacker was arrested but was not immediately placed in pre-trial detention.

Deutsche Bahn chief executive Evelyn Palla announced the policy by invoking the company's rights as a property owner, saying station house rules will be updated in coordination with local authorities and municipalities.