At least 18 people have been injured, several critically, in a knife attack that occurred Friday evening at Hamburg Central Station, one of Germany’s busiest transport hubs. Police say a 39-year-old German woman was arrested at the scene and remains in custody as authorities investigate the motive behind the violent rampage.
The attack unfolded around 18:00 local time (16:00 GMT) on platforms 13 and 14, while a train was stationed and passengers moved through the crowded terminal during rush hour. Witnesses reported scenes of panic and confusion as emergency services rushed to treat the wounded, some of whom received medical attention onboard trains.
Hamburg Police described the incident as a “major operation” and confirmed via a post on X (formerly Twitter) that multiple victims sustained life-threatening injuries. A video circulating on social media shows the suspected attacker, her hands cuffed behind her back, being escorted off the platform by officers.
Florian Abbenseth, a police spokesperson, told reporters that the suspect is believed to have acted alone and that no political or extremist motive has been identified at this stage. Instead, preliminary assessments suggest the woman may have been suffering from mental health issues.
Germany’s homicide division has taken over the investigation and is working to determine the suspect’s psychological state and possible triggers for the attack. She is expected to appear in court on Saturday.
The railway station, which typically sees over 550,000 travelers daily, was thrown into disarray. Four platforms were shut down, causing delays and diversions across several train lines. German rail operator Deutsche Bahn confirmed ongoing disruptions and advised passengers to check for updates before traveling.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called the attack “shocking” and praised emergency personnel for their swift and courageous response. “My thoughts are with the victims and their families,” he said in a statement.
Images from the scene show a heavy police and paramedic presence, with some areas cordoned off by barriers to shield victims from public view. One widely circulated photograph depicts a man being stretchered away by paramedics.
This incident adds to a worrying trend of public violence in Germany in recent months. In January, a stabbing in a park in Aschaffenburg left a toddler and a man dead. In February, a Spanish tourist was attacked at Berlin’s Holocaust Memorial. Last December, a deadly vehicle rampage at a Magdeburg Christmas market killed six people and injured hundreds.
The earlier attacks, carried out by foreign nationals, ignited intense public debate and led to stricter border checks. Although Friday’s attacker was identified as a German citizen, the latest incident is likely to further fuel national discussions around public safety, mental health support, and law enforcement preparedness.
Police have urged eyewitnesses or anyone with relevant footage to come forward as the investigation continues.
Chioma Kalu
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