A knife-wielding assailant injured at least 18 people in a brutal attack at Hamburg’s central railway station on Saturday, prompting panic and a swift police response in one of Germany’s busiest transit hubs. Authorities confirmed the attacker was detained at the scene and that an investigation is now underway to determine the motive.
The incident occurred around midday in the main concourse of Hamburg Hauptbahnhof, where eyewitnesses reported scenes of chaos as the attacker lunged at commuters without warning. Several victims sustained serious injuries, though officials said none are currently in life-threatening condition.
According to Hamburg police, the attacker acted alone and was subdued by security forces within minutes. He was reportedly shot and wounded before being arrested and transported to a nearby hospital under police custody. Authorities have not yet released the identity of the suspect but confirmed he is a male in his 30s with no fixed residence.
“We are treating this as a deliberate act of violence, and all possibilities are being investigated, including potential links to extremism or mental illness,” said police spokesperson Timo Zill.
Emergency services quickly sealed off the station, evacuating travelers and cordoning off the crime scene. Trains were temporarily suspended or rerouted, leading to widespread delays across the regional and national rail network. Normal operations began to resume several hours later.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned the attack, calling it a “cowardly act of terror against innocent people.” In a statement released by the federal government, he added, “Violence has no place in our society. We stand with the victims and their families and thank the first responders for their swift and courageous action.”
The assault comes amid heightened security alerts across Europe, where several countries are grappling with rising concerns over lone-wolf attacks and politically motivated violence. Germany, in particular, has experienced a string of violent incidents at public transport hubs in recent years, often linked to mental health issues or extremist ideologies.
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser urged the public not to jump to conclusions before the investigation is complete. “We must let the facts speak for themselves, but this is a stark reminder of the need for constant vigilance,” she said during a press conference in Berlin.
The incident has reignited debates around public safety, mental health services, and surveillance in high-traffic areas, with some lawmakers calling for increased police presence in train stations and urban centers.
Local officials confirmed that psychological support has been made available to witnesses and victims’ families, while the injured are receiving treatment at several hospitals across Hamburg.
As investigators work to piece together the timeline and motive behind the attack, German society once again confronts the chilling reality of sudden public violence—and the urgent questions it raises about prevention, preparedness, and resilience.
Source: Press TV
