Journalism of Courage
At least 10 people have been hospitalised, nine of them with life-threatening injuries, after a mass stabbing on a London-bound train near Cambridge on Saturday evening. British police said the attack, which occurred as the train approached Huntingdon station, has been declared a major incident, with counterterrorism police supporting the investigation.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the attack “appalling” and expressed concern for those affected. “My thoughts are with all those affected, and my thanks go to the emergency services for their response,” he said on X.
Authorities said the national ‘Plato’ alert, used when responding to potential marauding terror attacks, was briefly activated and later stood down. Chief Superintendent Chris Casey said urgent enquiries were underway. “At this early stage it would not be appropriate to speculate on the causes of the incident,” he said, adding that the investigation could take time.
The attack took place as a Doncaster-to-London King’s Cross train travelled south towards Huntingdon, around 120 kilometres north of London. Emergency services, including armed police and air ambulances, responded swiftly after the train stopped at Huntingdon station.
Cambridgeshire Constabulary confirmed that armed officers attended the scene after receiving reports of multiple stabbings at 7:39 pm local time. “Armed officers attended and the train was stopped at Huntingdon, where two men were arrested. A number of people have been taken to hospital,” police said, according to Reuters.
Videos shared on social media showed armed officers boarding the train. The local police said they were working with the British Transport Police on the investigation.
https://twitter.com/BROKENBRITAIN0/status/1984731356706849120 https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsThe East of England Ambulance Service said it mobilised a large-scale response to Huntingdon Railway Station, deploying numerous ambulances, critical care teams, and three air ambulances. “We can confirm we have transported multiple patients to hospital,” the ambulance service said, according to Reuters.
An eyewitness told Sky News that one of the suspects, who was waving a large knife, was tasered by police before being detained.
UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said she was “deeply saddened” to hear about the stabbings and urged the public to “avoid comment and speculation at this early stage,” reported PTI. She confirmed that “two suspects have been immediately arrested and taken into custody” and said she was receiving regular updates on the investigation.
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said the incident “seems to be a brutal mass attack,” reported PTI. He added, “My thoughts are with all those injured or affected and the emergency services responding. The police and government should provide an update on what happened and who has been arrested as soon as possible.”
Authorities said roads leading into the town of Huntingdon were closed, and services on the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) line were disrupted while emergency crews worked at the scene.
A passenger quoted by Sky News said, “They’ve got a knife, I’ve been stabbed,” describing scenes of panic as people moved through the carriages to escape the attackers.
Police said investigations are ongoing to determine the motive behind the attack.
(With inputs from Reuters, PTI, and AP)
