Knife Attack at Hamburg Station Injures 17, Four Critically

Hamburg, Germany — A knife attack at Hamburg’s main railway station left 17 people injured on Friday evening, with four suffering life-threatening injuries, police confirmed.

The incident occurred around 6 p.m. local time, between tracks 13 and 14 of the busy station. Witnesses reported that a woman, later identified as a 39-year-old German national, assaulted passengers before being apprehended by police.

Hamburg’s fire department stated that among the injured, six individuals had serious injuries while seven others were treated for less severe wounds. Emergency services provided immediate assistance, with some victims receiving treatment onboard trains parked at the platform.

Authorities believe the suspect acted alone and indicated that there was no political motive behind the attack. Police spokesperson Florian Abbenseth shared with reporters that the investigation is exploring the possibility that she was experiencing a mental health crisis.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed his shock at the events and extended gratitude to the emergency responders for their swift actions. The German rail operator, Deutsche Bahn, announced the closure of four platforms and warned of delays and service diversions in the aftermath of the incident.

Images from the scene showed heavy police presence and forensics teams examining the area, while barriers were set up to shield the injured from public view. The incident has raised concerns, as Germany has faced a series of violent attacks in recent months.

Authorities continue to investigate the motivations behind the attack and assess the safety protocols at public transportation hubs.