Nine of those victims are in life-threatening condition. The police report that they have arrested two men. The police received a report about the large-scale stabbing at 7:39 p.m.
According to the Daily Mail newspaper, the stabbing allegedly started after the departure of the train from the city of Peterborough. Eyewitnesses told the newspaper that one of the suspects had a “large knife” with him and was stabbing him. Several travelers are said to have locked themselves in the train toilets in panic.
Another eyewitness told The Times newspaper that “blood was everywhere.” Some travelers are said to have been overrun by other people who tried to flee in panic. According to the Daily Mail, the suspect with the large knife was eventually overpowered by police officers with an electroshock weapon.
‘Horrible incident’
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer calls the stabbing on X “a horrible incident” and says he is “deeply concerned”. “My thoughts go out to everyone affected and my thanks go to the emergency services for their response,” Starmer said.
Transport company London North Eastern Railway (LNER) has announced that train traffic to and from Huntingdon has been temporarily halted.
British Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood says he is “deeply saddened” by the news, but calls on people not to speculate about the perpetrators’ motives at this early stage.
The Daily Mail and The Times newspapers report that police are working with an anti-terrorism unit to investigate the circumstances of the stabbing and determine whether terrorism was involved.