Mass stabbing on train near Cambridge leaves nine critically injured
4 Min Read
Nine people were critically injured in a train stabbing near Cambridge, prompting a brief terror alert and the arrest of two suspects by armed police.
-
Emergency workers dispatched to the location of a mass stabbing near Cambridge, eastern England (Social media/ X)
Nine people were being treated for life-threatening injuries following a stabbing spree on a train near Cambridge in eastern England on Saturday evening. Police arrested two men in what UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described as an “appalling incident".
British Transport Police (BTP) confirmed that counterterrorism officers were assisting with the investigation as authorities worked to determine the motive behind the attack.
The force said the national “Plato” alert, a code word signaling a potential marauding terror attack. That declaration was later rescinded, and no motive for the attack was disclosed.
“We’re conducting urgent enquiries to establish what has happened, and it could take some time before we are in a position to confirm anything further,” said BTP Chief Superintendent Chris Casey. “At this early stage it would not be appropriate to speculate on the causes of the incident.”
'A large-scale response'
Cambridgeshire Constabulary said armed officers were deployed after reports of multiple stabbings aboard a train.
“Armed officers attended and the train was stopped at Huntingdon, where two men were arrested,” the statement read.
Emergency services mounted what they called a “large-scale response". The East of England Ambulance Service said multiple patients were transported to hospitals and confirmed the presence of tactical commanders and a hazardous area response team at the scene.
Witnesses described chaotic scenes as panic spread through the train. One passenger recalled someone moving through the carriage shouting, “They’ve got a knife, I’ve been stabbed.”
The witness told Sky News that the victim was “extremely bloodied” and collapsed before being taken to an ambulance. Others reported seeing passengers sprinting through the carriages to escape the attacker.
Another witness said armed police later confronted a man standing on the platform, wielding a large knife, before incapacitating him with a Taser.
Estimates of those injured varied, with witnesses saying between six and twelve people had been wounded.
According to police, the attack took place at 6:25 pm London North Eastern Railway (LNER) service from Doncaster to King’s Cross, shortly after the train left Peterborough station.
'Deeply concerning' incident
Prime Minister Starmer called the event “deeply concerning” and urged the public to follow official advice.
“The appalling incident on a train near Huntingdon is deeply concerning,” he wrote on X. “My thoughts are with all those affected, and my thanks go to the emergency services for their response.”
The appalling incident on a train near Huntingdon is deeply concerning.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) November 1, 2025
My thoughts are with all those affected, and my thanks go to the emergency services for their response.
Anyone in the area should follow the advice of the police.
Local MP Ben Obese-Jecty praised the swift response of emergency personnel.
“Very reassuring to see such a quick and effective response from the emergency services. I’ve simply never seen as big a response to an emergency incident as there were in terms of police, fire, and ambulance.”
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said she was “deeply saddened” by the news and urged people “to avoid comment and speculation at this early stage.”
LNER confirmed the attack occurred on one of its trains and warned passengers of “major disruption” across the network.
“We are experiencing major disruption across the LNER route. Emergency services are dealing with an incident at Huntingdon station; all lines are blocked. Our advice is ‘Do Not Travel,’” the operator said, adding that disruption was expected to continue until Monday.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp called it a “brutal mass attack,” urging authorities to provide details as soon as possible.
“My thoughts are with all those injured or affected and the emergency services responding,” he stressed.
It is worth noting that Cambridgeshire Constabulary appealed to witnesses to come forward, asking anyone with information to report it online, quoting incident 495 of 1 November, or by calling 101.
