Axe attack at train station in Germany

A group of people used axes to attack the main train station of the western German city of Duesseldorf on the evening of March 9 (local time), injuring five people.

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AFP quoted police as saying that the suspects attacked the victims as they passed by, but fortunately their lives were not in danger. Police arrested two suspects and believe the remaining attackers fled the scene.

Police arrive at Duesseldorf's main train station after an axe attack on the evening of March 9. Photo: AFP

There are no details yet about the two suspects arrested or their motive for the attack. Police also admitted they do not know exactly how many people were involved in the attack.

According to The Guardian, the police later confirmed that they had only arrested one suspect and that he was suspected of having mental problems. The suspect had deliberately attacked passengers at the station.

Also according to The Guardian, the number of injured people is 7, and the police rule out the possibility that the attack was not motivated by terrorism.

Following the incident, the terminal was temporarily closed, while several helicopters patrolled overhead and police were deployed to the area.

German authorities have been on high alert for terrorist attacks, especially since the Islamic State (IS) group claimed responsibility for a hijacked truck attack on a Christmas market in Berlin in December 2016, killing 12 people.

According to German security forces, there are about 10,000 radical Muslims operating in the country, of which 1,600 are suspected of being involved in terrorist groups./.

According to TNO