A woman has been arrested in Hamburg after a shocking knife attack that injured at least 18 people at the city’s main train station. The attack took place during the busy rush hour on Friday evening, leaving four victims with life-threatening injuries.
The suspect, a 39-year-old German woman, faced a judge on Saturday as police continued their investigation into the incident. Authorities have stated that they currently have no evidence suggesting the attack was politically motivated. Instead, they are looking into the possibility that the woman may have been experiencing a psychological crisis.
Police confirmed that the woman acted alone during the attack. Images from the scene showed police blocking off access to parts of the station, while emergency responders attended to the injured, loading them into ambulances.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed his shock at the incident in a conversation with Hamburg’s mayor. This attack is part of a troubling trend in Germany, which has seen a rise in violent incidents in recent months. Just days before, another stabbing at a bar in Bielefeld left four people injured, and that case has since been taken over by federal prosecutors.
The issue of security in Germany has become increasingly pressing, especially in light of the immigrant background of some recent attackers. This has been a significant topic in recent political discussions, particularly during the recent elections where right-wing parties gained ground.
As investigations continue, the community in Hamburg is left reeling from this violent event, raising questions about safety and mental health support in the country.