Paris, December 14 – A RATP metro driver was severely assaulted and stabbed three times in the early hours of Saturday morning in Paris. The incident occurred near Place de la Nation, leaving the driver in urgent condition. The assailant, known to have a psychiatric history, has been apprehended.
Metro Driver Stabbed Over Cigarette Refusal
The attack took place around 2:20 AM as the driver of Line 6 was returning to his vehicle in the parking lot, accompanied by several colleagues. An individual, who had been a passenger on the line, reportedly asked the driver for a cigarette. Upon the driver’s refusal, stating he did not smoke, the individual became enraged, drew a knife, and stabbed the driver multiple times.
The victim sustained three stab wounds to the abdomen, thigh, and under an armpit. Colleagues of the driver immediately contacted the Group for the Protection and Security of Networks (GPSR), who were the first security unit to arrive on the scene. The attacker was restrained by the driver’s colleagues until the GPSR took him into custody.
The injured driver was quickly attended to by firefighters and transported to a hospital, where his condition was described as urgent. The assailant, who also sustained a hand injury, was taken to Saint-Antoine Hospital. He is reportedly known to authorities and has a history of psychiatric care at Saint-Anne Hospital.
Widespread Support and Calls for Enhanced Security
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation and renewed calls for improved safety measures for public transport personnel. Philippe Tabarot, the Minister of Transport, commented on the aggression, stating, “Once again, transport agents are exposed to gratuitous violence in the exercise of their duties. The Tabarot law for transport safety will enable better protection for them. In the coming days, the decree allowing controllers to be equipped with body cameras will be published. This is a measure favored by agents to deter violence and de-escalate tensions in case of aggression.”
The RATP issued a statement on X (formerly Twitter), expressing solidarity with the agent: “The RATP joins the agent in all his endeavors, including filing a complaint, and wishes him a speedy recovery.”
Jean-Christophe Delprat, federal secretary of FO Transports Logistiques, emphasized the severity of the attack, stating, “The qualification of attempted murder must be retained. It is enough to see the aggressor’s weapon to understand that there was an intent to kill. This is intolerable. During the Olympic Games, public authorities proved that delinquency could be reduced when sufficient human resources are deployed. It is now necessary to secure the daily commutes of our colleagues to their vehicles.”
Rising Aggressions Against RATP Personnel
This incident comes amidst a concerning surge in aggressions against RATP agents. In May, the RATP had already raised alarms about the safety of its personnel, reporting a more than 102% increase in aggressions. Between January and May 2025, the number of aggressions recorded matched the total for the entire year of 2021, highlighting a worrying trend in violence targeting public transport workers.
The ongoing discussions surrounding the safety of transport workers underscore the urgent need for effective measures to protect those who ensure the smooth functioning of public transportation in urban centers like Paris.
Source: https://www.cnews.fr/faits-divers/2025-12-13/paris-un-conducteur-de-metro-poignarde-pour-avoir-refuse-de-donner-une?amp
