Eighteen Injured in Hamburg Knife Attack; Woman Taken Into Custody
A devastating knife attack at Hamburg Central Station has left 18 people injured, with several reported to be in critical condition, prompting a large-scale emergency response in one of Germany’s busiest transportation hubs. The incident took place at approximately 18:00 local time (16:00 GMT) on Friday and has shocked the nation.
According to Hamburg Police, a 39-year-old German woman was arrested on-site and remains in custody. Authorities confirmed that she acted alone, and she is scheduled to appear in court on Saturday. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), police revealed that many of the victims had suffered life-threatening injuries and were being treated at the scene and in nearby hospitals.
The knife attack occurred between platforms 13 and 14, an area accessible via a busy main road and typically congested during Friday evening rush hour. A train was stationed at one of the platforms at the time, and some of the injured were reportedly treated inside train carriages.
Hamburg Central Station handles more than 550,000 passengers daily and is regarded as one of the most vital transit intersections in Germany. As a result of the attack, four platforms were temporarily closed by rail operator Deutsche Bahn, causing delays and service disruptions throughout the network. Commuters described scenes of confusion and panic, as emergency personnel flooded the area and cordoned off sections of the platform.
Photos and videos posted to social media showed emergency vehicles, police officers, and medical staff working behind hastily erected barriers designed to shield victims from public view. One widely circulated image showed a man being transported on a stretcher, while another clip captured the moment the female suspect was led away in handcuffs by police.
Hamburg Knife Attack at Central Station Leaves 18 Injured
During a press briefing outside the station, Hamburg Police spokesperson Florian Abbenseth stated that preliminary investigations indicated the suspect may have been experiencing a “state of mental distress” at the time of the attack. He emphasized that there is no current evidence suggesting the incident had political or extremist motives. The Hamburg homicide division is leading the investigation and will further examine the woman’s background, mental health history, and possible motives.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned the attack, labeling it as “shocking” and extending his thoughts to the victims and their families. “We are grateful to the emergency teams for their swift and courageous response,” Merz said in a public statement.
Local residents and travelers expressed shock at the violence erupting in such a high-traffic, public space. With heightened concerns about safety in transportation hubs, many are calling for more visible security personnel and improved mental health intervention strategies.
The Hamburg attack is the latest in a disturbing series of violent incidents in Germany. In January, a stabbing in a park in Aschaffenburg left a two-year-old child and a 41-year-old man dead. In February, a Spanish tourist was stabbed at Berlin’s Holocaust Memorial. Last December, a car plowed into a Christmas market in Magdeburg, killing six and injuring hundreds.
While the suspects in those incidents were migrants—prompting national debates about immigration policy—the suspect in the Hamburg attack is a German citizen. Police have been careful to note that this incident does not appear linked to political extremism or immigration-related issues.
As the investigation continues, Hamburg is grappling with the trauma and implications of such a public act of violence. With the suspect in custody and court proceedings set to begin, attention is now turning toward broader questions of security, mental health care, and emergency preparedness in public transportation hubs.
This attack has reignited national conversations about how Germany can better safeguard public spaces like Hamburg Central Station, which are critical arteries for millions of people each week. As the city and country await updates on the condition of the injured and the suspect’s mental evaluation, one thing is clear: the need for comprehensive reforms to prevent such tragedies is more urgent than ever.
