ICE trains are the ultimate high-speed train of Germany. They typically only run routes from one major city (Examples: Munich or Hamburg, or Berlin) to another major city. Most Germans will tell you that it's one of the safest modes of transportation in the country.
Yesterday, there was this drama that unfolded on one of the trains....making its route from Berlin to Hamburg. Several news sites carried the piece, Focus had the best description.
At some point in this trip....a French guy (authorities say he was 30 years old), went a bit nuts....threatening people and talking in broken English of a 'bomb'. Naturally, Germans reacted pretty quickly. The police got the call....the train came to an abrupt stop, and police took the guy down.
So, here's the thing about the incident....he did go through some act and suggested some acts of violence, but no one was harmed or wounded by the nutcase.
In fact, it didn't appear that the police had much of a problem in approaching him and handcuffing the guy.
Drugs? Well....no one suggests that. On the basis of the story, you'd likely go and think just another case of a Paranoid Schizophrenic guy....having a problem with reality.
What'll happen? My guess is that some court session will open with a judge asking for a mental review of the guy. He'll end up in a 30-day situation where the mental health folks assess his issues. A history will be laid out, and after 30 days....some judge will decide if he can face charges (I doubt it), or go off to mental facility (more likely).
For the 300-odd Germans on the train? They will sit there for days pondering over the incident, and wondering about the guy's real or imagined intentions.
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