A rush-hour stabbing at Hamburg Central Station on Friday evening left multiple victims injured—some critically—as a 39-year-old woman was taken into custody at the scene, German authorities confirmed.
The attack unfolded around 6 p.m. on a crowded platform between tracks 13 and 14, one of the busiest areas of the station. Hamburg Central Station is a major transit hub in Germany’s second-largest city, serving regional, national, and international rail lines.
Initial reports from the Hamburg fire department stated that six individuals had sustained life-threatening injuries, with an additional three seriously hurt and three more suffering minor wounds. However, police later clarified that final casualty figures remain unconfirmed, though they acknowledged “several” victims were in critical condition.
The suspect, a German national, was apprehended without resistance and taken into custody at the scene. Authorities say surveillance footage suggests she acted alone. The weapon, a knife, was recovered.
“There is no indication at this time of any political motive,” police spokesperson Florian Abbenseth said. Investigators are now exploring whether mental illness may have played a role in the suspect’s actions.
A high-speed Intercity-Express (ICE) train remained on the platform hours after the incident, but Abbenseth noted it was not considered a crime scene. The train had its doors open as emergency responders and investigators worked nearby.
Rail operator Deutsche Bahn expressed shock in a public statement, saying it was “deeply disturbed” by the violence. Four tracks at the station were closed in the aftermath, resulting in delays and rerouted service for long-distance trains across the country.
The incident has reignited concern over public safety in Germany’s transport network. Knives and other weapons are banned at Hamburg Central Station and on local transportation throughout the city, part of broader security measures implemented in recent years.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned the attack, stating he was “deeply appalled” by the news. He spoke by phone with Hamburg Mayor Peter Tschentscher and extended his support to the victims and their families, according to a statement from his office.
The motive remains under investigation as Hamburg police work to establish the full sequence of events and the background of the alleged assailant.
