18 People Are Hurt in a Knife Attack at Hamburg Central Station, with Several in Critical Condition

A 39-year-old woman is arrested by police after a knife assault at Hamburg Central Station in Germany injures 18 people, including four gravely.

A knife assault at Hamburg Central Station, one of Germany’s largest transportation hubs, on Friday night left at least 18 people hurt, including three gravely. A 39-year-old German lady was taken into custody at the site and is being held while investigators look into what caused the violent outburst, according to the police.

While a train was stationed and passengers were moving through the packed terminal during rush hour, the attack occurred on platforms 13 and 14 at approximately 18:00 local time (16:00 GMT). As rescue personnel raced to treat the injured, some of whom received medical care on trains, witnesses described scenes of confusion and fear.

In a statement on X (previously Twitter), Hamburg Police stated that some victims had life-threatening injuries and called the incident a “major operation.” In a social media video, the accused attacker is seen being led off the station by police with her hands cuffed behind her back.

Police spokesperson Florian Abbenseth told reporters that no political or extremist motive has been found as of yet and that the suspect is thought to have acted alone. Rather, initial evaluations indicate that the woman might have been experiencing mental health problems.

The investigation has been taken over by Germany’s homicide division, which is attempting to ascertain the suspect’s mental state and potential attack triggers. On Saturday, she is anticipated to appear in court.

The train station, which normally handles more than 550,000 passengers per day, was left in a state of chaos. Several train lines experienced delays and detours as a result of the closure of four platforms. Passengers were encouraged to check for information prior to travel by Deutsche Bahn, the German rail operator, which confirmed continuous problems.

The attack was described as “shocking” by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who also commended emergency officials for their prompt and brave response. In a statement, he stated, “My thoughts are with the victims and their families.”

Police and paramedics are heavily present at the scene, according to photos, and certain parts have been blocked off by barricades to keep sufferers out of the public eye. One image that has gone viral shows paramedics carrying a man away on a stretcher.

The disturbing pattern of public violence in Germany in recent months is exacerbated by this episode. A man and a toddler were killed in a stabbing at an Aschaffenburg park in January. A Spanish visitor was assaulted at the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin in February. A devastating car rampage at a Magdeburg Christmas market last December left hundreds injured and six dead.

Foreign nationals were responsible for the prior attacks, which sparked heated public discussion and resulted in tighter border controls. Despite the fact that Friday’s assailant was recognized as a German national, the most recent event is probably going to intensify national conversations about law enforcement readiness, mental health support, and public safety.

As the investigation progresses, police have asked anyone with pertinent video or eyewitnesses to come forward.