Knife attack on train in UK: 9 people in critical condition, anti-terror police involved
A serious knife attack on a train in central England on the evening of November 1 (local time) left 10 people hospitalized, nine of whom are in critical condition. Police have arrested two suspects and declared this a "serious incident".
On the evening of November 1, British Transport Police (BTP) announced that they had deployed forces after receiving reports of a knife attack at 7:42 p.m. (local time). The incident occurred on a London North Eastern Railway (LNER) train traveling from the northern city of Doncaster to King's Cross station in London.
The train made an unscheduled emergency stop at Huntingdon station in Cambridgeshire. Armed police were called to the station, entered the train and arrested two suspects.
Authorities said 10 people were taken to hospital, nine of whom were in life-threatening condition.
BTP has declared it a "serious incident" and said counter-terrorism officers are assisting with the investigation. In a statement, BTP Police Chief Superintendent Chris Casey called it a "shocking incident" and said officers were "conducting urgent investigations to establish what happened".
"At this early stage, it would be inappropriate to speculate about the cause of the incident," Mr. Casey also stressed.
Witnesses on the train described a chaotic scene. Some passengers said they initially heard "screams" from the carriage below. Then a man came running down with a bleeding hand, shouting that someone had a knife.
Another witness told Sky News he believed he saw a suspect being tasered by police before being arrested.
The East England Ambulance Service (EEAST) confirmed it had mobilised a large-scale response force to the scene, including "multiple ambulances, tactical command, Hazardous Area Response Team and intensive care teams", along with several air ambulances.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the incident as "deeply concerning". On social media X, he wrote: "My thoughts are with all those affected and my thanks to the emergency services for their response."
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood also said she was "deeply saddened to learn of the stabbing" and said she was receiving regular updates on the investigation. She also urged the public to "avoid speculation at this early stage".
The incident caused "severe disruption" across the East Coast Railway, one of the UK's busiest and most vital rail routes, connecting London to Scotland. Operator LNER issued an emergency notice, advising passengers: "Our advice is 'Do not travel'. Please postpone your journey if possible."
