At least 18 people were injured in a knife attack at Hamburg railway station on Friday evening, according to Germany’s Bild newspaper, with local police confirming the suspect’s arrest.
Four victims are in critical condition and six others are seriously injured, Bild reported, saying the motive for the attack was unclear.
Police earlier reported that several victims suffered “life-threatening injuries” in the attack.
Suspect In Custody
Police said the suspected assailant was a 39-year-old woman who allowed herself to be arrested without resistance.
Investigations are ongoing. Authorities stated they currently do not suspect any political motive but are exploring whether the suspect was experiencing mental health issues.
“So far, we have no evidence that the woman could have acted with political motivation,” said Hamburg police spokesperson Florian Abbenseth. “Rather, we have findings on the basis of which we are now investigating in particular whether she may have been in a state of mental distress.”
In a statement released late Friday, Hamburg police said the attacker “apparently acted indiscriminately, stabbing passersby and critically injuring some.”
“The full background and circumstances remain unclear. The investigation is being carried out thoroughly,” the police added, promising updates as new information emerges.
German Chancellor Reacts
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in a post on the social media platform X that the news from Hamburg was “shocking.”
“My thoughts are with the victims and their families,” he said.
Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt expressed sympathy for the victims and praised emergency responders. “It is shocking when travellers are targeted in such a cowardly and treacherous attack,” he said.
Hamburg Central Station is Germany’s busiest passenger hub, handling over 550,000 travellers daily, according to the city’s official website.
Knife-Related Crimes In Germany
Germany has seen an increase in knife-related crimes in recent years, with some incidents fuelling tensions over migration ahead of the February parliamentary elections.
Concerns have grown following several high-profile attacks allegedly involving asylum seekers or migrants.
In January, a 28-year-old Afghan man was arrested after a knife attack in Aschaffenburg that killed two people, including a toddler.
Last year, a Syrian man confessed to killing three people and injuring others in a stabbing attack at a festival in Solingen, western Germany.
(With inputs from Reuters)
