17 wounded in Hamburg stabbing, suspect in custody
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A 39-year-old woman has been detained after a knife attack at Hamburg’s central station left 17 injured, including three in critical condition.
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Police officers detain a man in Berlin, Germany, after another man was seriously injured, Friday, Feb. 21, 2025 (AP)
The number of people injured in a knife attack at Hamburg’s central railway station has risen to 17, according to a report by Der Spiegel citing the city’s fire department. The attack occurred on Friday and left several victims hospitalized, including three in life-threatening condition.
Earlier reports by German broadcaster NDR had placed the number of injured at 12, before emergency services confirmed the higher toll.
Hamburg police later announced the arrest of a 39-year-old woman suspected of carrying out the attack. Authorities said the suspect was detained at the scene and is believed to have acted alone.
"The detainee turned out to be a 39-year-old woman. Based on the information we have so far, we believe she acted alone," the police stated in a post on X.
Ambiguous attack
The motive behind the attack remains unclear. Investigators are currently conducting interviews and reviewing surveillance footage from the busy transit hub, which serves thousands of passengers daily.
Security was tightened across the central station area in the aftermath of the attack, with local media reporting a significant police presence and the temporary suspension of certain train services during the emergency response.
While stabbings are rare in Germany, they tend to be large-scale and fatal. In August 2024, a stabbing led to eight people being wounded, with five sustaining serious injuries, three of whom later died.
The attack occurred at around 9:40 pm (19:40 GMT) when the assailant attacked several people with a knife, specifically aiming for their throats, the police reported. However, they could not provide additional details or the motive behind the incident.
The attack took place during a festival at the Fronhof market square, celebrating the city's 650th anniversary.
