A woman from Germany has been accused of a mass stabbing incident at a train station in Hamburg and is set to appear before a judge later today, with police reporting that the number of injured victims has risen to 18.
The suspect, a 39-year-old female, was apprehended at the scene of the attack yesterday at Hamburg’s main station, which shocked the city during the busy evening rush hour.
According to Hamburg police spokesman Florian Abbenseth, there is currently no evidence suggesting a “political motive,” and it appears the woman may have been “experiencing a psychological emergency.”
She was taken into custody without resistance following the incident, which emergency services indicated resulted in at least four victims suffering from life-threatening injuries.
The scene of the mass stabbing in Hamburg, Germany
The suspect “remains in custody and is scheduled to appear before a judge on Saturday,” police stated in a press release.
Authorities believe the suspect “acted alone,” as reported in a post on X.
Busy station
Reports from German media indicate that the attack occurred just after 6 PM (5 PM Irish time) yesterday on one of the platforms adjacent to a stationary train.
The suspect is believed to have targeted “passengers” at the station, according to a spokeswoman for the Hanover federal police directorate, which oversees Hamburg, in a statement to AFP.
Some victims were treated aboard waiting trains at the station, according to German daily Bild.
Images from the scene revealed that access to the platforms at one end of the station was blocked by police, with individuals being loaded into waiting ambulances.
Forensic officers were also observed inspecting the platforms where the attack took place.
German rail operator Deutsche Bahn announced that four platforms at the station have been closed for ongoing investigations, adding that it was “deeply shocked” by the incident.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz conveyed his shock in a phone call with the mayor of Hamburg.
“My thoughts are with the victims and their families,” Mr. Merz stated, according to a summary from his spokesperson, Stefan Kornelius.
Germany has recently faced a wave of violent incidents, often motivated by jihadist or far-right extremist ideologies, raising security concerns as a primary issue.
In the latest incident, on Sunday, four individuals were injured in a stabbing at a bar in Bielefeld.
That attack is now being investigated by federal prosecutors after the Syrian suspect informed arresting officers of his jihadist beliefs.
The topic of security, and the immigrant background of some attackers, was a significant focus during Germany’s recent election campaign.
The February elections saw Mr. Merz’s conservative CDU/CSU party garner the most votes, alongside a record over 20% for the far-right, anti-immigration Alternative for Germany party.
