TRANSCRIPT
A stabbing attack at Hamburg's main train station has left 17 people injured, some critically.
Police say the incident occurred just after 6pm local time on a platform between tracks 13 and 14, right in the heart of one of Germany’s busiest transport hubs.
A 39-year-old woman has been arrested.
Authorities say she did not resist and believe she acted alone.
Florian Abbenseth is spokesperson for Hamburg Police.
“According to our initial findings, a 39-year-old woman is believed to have injured several people with a knife on a platform here at the main station at around 6 p.m. today. There are reportedly several people injured, including life-threatening injuries. The police then received several emergency calls. Our patrol was on the scene very quickly, was able to find the woman, spoke to her and she was then arrested without resistance. She is currently in police custody.”
Mr Abbenseth says the suspect is a German citizen.
While the motive remains unclear, investigators currently do not suspect any political intent behind the attack.
Shortly after the attack took place, fake news was circulated on social media that the attack had been perpetrated by an Arab migrant who was shouting, 'Allah Akbar' while stabbing people.
That has since been proven to be false.
“We assume that the woman acted alone. So far, we have no evidence that there could be a political motive. Rather, we have initial indications that we are using to determine whether she may have been in a state of mental distress.”
The Hamburg Fire Department has been leading rescue and triage efforts.
Philipp Baumann, is their spokesperson.
“The fire department was called to a major operation at the main station. There were several seriously injured, life-threatening injuries after a stabbing. And the Hamburg Fire Brigade is currently running a large-scale emergency medical services operation here and is conducting the screening of people. Some people have already been transported to nearby hospitals by the emergency services.”
Mr Baumann says three of the victims are fighting for their life.
“Yes, there are currently 12 people injured here after a knife attack, with stab wounds. Three of these people are critically injured with life-threatening stab wounds, three people are seriously injured, and six are slightly injured. A further assessment of those affected, who are still under the impression of the incident, is underway.”
Later updates from the fire department, raised the injury toll to 17.
A ban on carrying knives has been in place at the station since October of 2023, with another ban on knives on public transport having taken effect in December of 2024.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz's office said the German leader was appalled by the news and that his thoughts are with the victims and their relatives.
This is the latest in a string of violent incidents that have shaken Germany in recent months.
While the motives may differ, the frequency of such attacks has become a point of concern nationally.
