British police have reported that a mass stabbing incident on a London-bound train has resulted in 10 people being hospitalized, with nine of them sustaining life-threatening injuries. The authorities have classified the attack as a “major incident,” with counter-terrorism police providing assistance in the investigation.
The incident occurred on Saturday evening, and British transport police released a statement early Sunday confirming the severity of the situation. The police mentioned that ten individuals were taken to hospitals, with nine facing critical conditions. They also indicated that the incident is being treated as a major event, with efforts underway to determine the motive behind the attack.
Following the incident, the national police code word “Plato,” used in response to potential terror attacks, was activated but later revoked. Chief Superintendent Chris Casey emphasized the ongoing inquiries to understand the circumstances surrounding the attack and refrained from speculating on the causes at this stage.
The stabbing took place on a train traveling from Doncaster to London King’s Cross, en route to Huntingdon, a town near Cambridge. Emergency services, including armed police and air ambulances, swiftly responded to the scene upon the train’s arrival in Huntingdon, where the situation was contained. Cambridgeshire Constabulary confirmed the arrest of two individuals at the station, located approximately 120 kilometers north of London.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed sympathy for those affected by the tragic incident, while Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mayor Paul Bristow described hearing about distressing scenes aboard the train. The train operator, London North Eastern Railway (LNER), advised passengers against traveling due to significant disruptions caused by the incident.