At least two people were killed and five others injured in a rampage on a regional train in Germany today.
A man believed to be Syrian attacked passengers with a knife shortly before the arrival of the regional train from Kiel to Hamburg around 3pm today before being arrested.
The suspect, who was not named by police, started the stabbing just before the train arrived at Brokstedt station near Neumünster, a town in northern Germany.
Two people were killed and five injured in the attack, including one person who is in critical condition and fighting for her life, said regional interior minister Sabine Sütterlin-Waack, describing the attack as a “horrific act against all of humanity.” “ condemned.
Emergency services work at Brokstedt train station in Brockstedt, Germany on Wednesday
Two people were killed and several others injured after a man stabbed a train in Germany today. Pictured: The scene
“It’s terrible,” Sütterlin-Waack told NDR. “We are shocked and appalled that something like this has happened.
“It is clear to me that the terrible act is directed against all of humanity,” said the interior minister, adding: “The thoughts are with the families and relatives of the victims.”
Sütterlin-Waack, who is currently on her way to the scene of the crime, added that federal and state police were there
She is currently on her way to the crime scene and is “working closely together” to determine a motive.
According to the regional police authority, seven people were injured after initial investigations. An eyewitness told KN-online that people in his carriage panicked when three girls rushed in and told them there was a man with a knife on the train.
The attacker was attacked by police officers at the train station and arrested, reports Der Spiegel. The suspect had reportedly stabbed himself after attacking the other passengers and was found to have injuries to his hands when he was arrested, Bild reports.
The attacker is currently in the hospital and is being treated under police guard. The suspect, who is said to be from Syria, had a temporary residence permit with him during the attack, reports Bild.
There is a full-scale emergency response on site, with nine ambulances, three ambulances and rescue helicopters all on station treating the passengers.
Police have closed the station and forensic teams have been seen at the scene.
Police and rescue workers are working on a level crossing at Brokstedt train station in Brockstedt on Wednesday
Police and forensic teams work at a level crossing near Brokstedt train station in Brockstedt, Germany, today after the knife attack
There is a full-scale emergency response on site, with nine ambulances, three ambulances and rescue helicopters all on station treating the passengers. The station was closed by the police
Police did not release information on the suspect’s identity and said his possible motives were being investigated.
The police are investigating at the train station in Brokstedt, Deutsche Bahn said on Twitter, adding that some connections between Hamburg and Kiel had been canceled.
Germany has been hit by several deadly knife attacks in recent years, some by extremists, others by people with serious mental health problems.
A Syrian jihadist was sentenced to life in prison in May 2021 for stabbing a German and seriously injuring his partner in a homophobic attack in the eastern city of Dresden.
A German court in December sentenced a Syrian-born man to 14 years in prison for an Islamist knife attack on a train, in which he injured four passengers.
Last year, a German court committed a Somali man to a psychiatric hospital after he stabbed three people in Würzburg in 2021.
This is breaking news, more to come…