Horror in Germany: 17 injured in knife attack at Hamburg train station, woman arrested at scene
Authorities in Germany say four people are in life-threatening condition after a stabbing at Hamburg's central train station; a 39-year-old female suspect has been detained.
Seventeen people were injured — including four critically — in a stabbing attack at the central train station in Hamburg, Germany, on Friday evening. The assault occurred around 6 p.m. on a busy platform, disrupting one of the country's main transportation hubs.
Police arrested a 39-year-old German woman at the scene without resistance. Authorities are investigating the motive and have not ruled out mental illness as a contributing factor. The attack has shocked both officials and the public, as security measures remain under scrutiny.
Details of the attack and arrest
The stabbing occurred on the stairwell between platforms 13 and 14 at Hamburg Hauptbahnhof, the city's main rail station. Emergency services reported 17 people were injured and four of which were in life-threatening condition, six had serious injuries and seven sustained other minor injuries. Police recovered the weapon at the crime scene. The police also confirmed the suspect acted alone through reviewing CCTV footage.
There was no immediate information that the suspect's actions had a political or ideological motive. Investigators are currently assessing the suspect's mental state. The attack did not involve the ICE train parked nearby. The ICE train stayed on the platform for over several hours but was not considered to be part of the crime scene.
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Response and impact on transportation
The attack resulted in the closure of four tracks at Hamburg station, delaying and disrupting long-distance and regional train services. Deutsche Bahn (Germany’s national railway company) stated it is, “seriously shocked,” by the event and voiced its support to the victims and first responders.
The Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, offered his condolences during a call with the Mayor of Hamburg and stated, "My thoughts are with the victims and their relatives." Because of local laws, searching for weapons, including a knife, at the station or on the public transport system is prohibited - which prompted on-going concerns regarding enforcement of local law and public safety.
