HAMBURG — A stabbing incident at the bustling central train station in Hamburg, Germany, has resulted in several injuries, with some victims in critical condition, authorities confirmed. A woman has been apprehended in connection to the attack.
The assailant struck passengers waiting on the platform between tracks 13 and 14 around 6 p.m., according to local police. This station, located in the heart of Hamburg, Germany’s second-largest city, is a crucial hub for both local and long-distance train services.
Reports indicated that while specific numbers were initially unavailable, several individuals were in life-threatening condition following the attack. Later that Friday evening, Hamburg’s fire service reported a total of 17 people injured. Of these, four sustained life-threatening wounds, six were seriously injured, and seven had minor injuries.
The alleged perpetrator, a 39-year-old German woman, was taken into custody at the scene without resistance. Police, having reviewed video evidence, believe she acted alone, and they recovered a knife from the scene.
Currently, there is no evidence suggesting a political motive behind the attack. Investigators are probing potential mental health issues of the suspect, according to police spokesperson Florian Abbenseth.
In the aftermath of the event, a high-speed ICE train remained at the platform, although it was not considered part of the crime scene.
Deutsche Bahn, the railway operator, expressed profound shock at the incident. As a result, four tracks were temporarily closed on Friday evening, causing long-distance trains to experience delays and rerouting.
It is worth noting that carrying weapons, including knives, is prohibited at the station and within Hamburg’s local transportation system.
Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz conveyed his distress over the situation and reached out to Hamburg’s Mayor Peter Tschentscher on Friday evening, stating, “my thoughts are with the victims and their relatives.”