A brutal stabbing attack on a train in eastern England late Saturday left ten people injured, with nine suffering life-threatening wounds, prompting a major police investigation and the arrest of two suspects.
British Transport Police (BTP) confirmed they are conducting an urgent inquiry into the incident, which occurred near Cambridge. Counter-terrorism police are assisting with the investigation, though authorities have not yet indicated a motive.
Superintendent Chris Casey of the BTP stated that investigators are working quickly to determine all facts. He cautioned that it would take time to confirm further details, adding it was too early to speculate on the cause of the violence.
The attack took place on the 6:25 PM train service from Doncaster, northern England, bound for King’s Cross station in London. The train was subsequently stopped at Huntingdon station.
Cambridgeshire Police were alerted at 7:39 PM local time on Saturday, November 1, following reports of multiple stabbings on board.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene, with one telling Sky News that an armed officer used a taser to subdue a suspect wielding a large knife. Another witness recounted to the BBC seeing a man with a blood-stained arm running from a carriage, shouting “They have knives, run!”, before another individual collapsed to the ground.
Emergency services mounted a significant response at Huntingdon station. The East of England Ambulance Service deployed numerous ambulances, emergency medical teams, and three air ambulances to provide aid to the injured.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed deep concern over the incident, extending his thoughts to those affected and commending emergency personnel for their rapid response.