A horrifying stabbing spree at the heart of Hamburg Central Station has left 17 individuals wounded, including six critically injured, in what officials have called one of the most alarming public attacks on German transport infrastructure in recent years. A 39-year-old woman has been arrested in connection with the violent act, which unfolded around 6:07 p.m. local time on Friday, May 23, 2025, amid bustling evening commuter traffic.
At the time of this report, the names of the victims have not been publicly released, pending notification of families and ongoing investigative procedures. However, authorities have confirmed that the victims include both men and women, ranging in age from their late teens to their 60s. They were standing on a busy platform between Tracks 13 and 14 — a section that services both regional and Intercity-Express (ICE) long-distance trains — when the attacker struck without warning.
The attack began moments before an ICE train was set to depart, throwing the crowded station into chaos. Dozens of bystanders witnessed what has been described as a sudden, frenzied stabbing spree. According to multiple eyewitnesses, the woman approached several passengers at random and began assaulting them with a large kitchen knife believed to be concealed beneath a jacket.
“I just heard screams — people yelling and running,” said one witness, a traveler en route to Bremen. “There was blood on the floor and people trying to help someone who had collapsed. It was terrifying.”
Within minutes, Hamburg police and rescue personnel arrived on the scene, quickly cordoning off a significant portion of the station. Four train tracks were shut down, and at least eight trains were either delayed or rerouted as law enforcement conducted a search to confirm there were no additional attackers.
Ambulances, fire trucks, and police vehicles surrounded the station’s Glockengießerwall entrance, and first responders set up a triage area inside the concourse to administer immediate aid.
Hamburg Fire Department Chief Jan Tönnies addressed the press in a hastily arranged briefing just outside the station. He confirmed that:
Six victims suffered life-threatening injuries, including deep abdominal and thoracic wounds.
Three individuals sustained serious injuries, such as severe lacerations to the neck and arms.
Five more were moderately injured by slashes or during the crowd’s panicked attempts to flee.
Three suffered minor wounds, including bruises and superficial cuts, believed to be caused by falling or being trampled in the chaos.
The injured were transported to three separate hospitals across Hamburg, with trauma units put on emergency readiness. At least two victims underwent emergency surgery by 9:00 p.m. local time.
The female suspect, described by police as a 39-year-old German national, was arrested on the platform minutes after the attack. According to police spokesperson Stefan Meyer, she did not resist arrest and dropped the weapon voluntarily when confronted by armed officers.
“At this stage, she appears to have acted alone. There is no evidence of a broader network or secondary suspect involved,” said Meyer.
Investigators are actively reviewing surveillance footage from over 80 cameras in and around the station. They are also interviewing more than 40 witnesses, including train passengers, Deutsche Bahn staff, and station security personnel.
As of Friday evening, no clear motive has been established. Authorities have not ruled out any possibilities, including personal crisis, mental health issues, political motivations, or ideological extremism.
A senior official with Hamburg’s criminal police division (Kriminalpolizei) confirmed that the suspect has no known history of terrorism-related activity, but noted that she has previously received mental health treatment. However, details remain under judicial seal as the investigation is ongoing.
Interior Minister for the State of Hamburg, Andreas Grote, urged the public and the media to refrain from “unfounded speculation or online disinformation,” emphasizing the importance of a fact-based investigation.
In response to the attack, security measures were immediately heightened at train stations across Germany. Hamburg Central Station, known as the busiest rail hub in the country, typically accommodates over 550,000 passengers per day, according to Deutsche Bahn statistics.
All luggage left on the premises during the evacuation was thoroughly screened by bomb squads and K9 units. As of 8:30 p.m., the station partially reopened, but platforms 13 and 14 remained closed pending forensic analysis.
Deutsche Bahn released a statement Friday evening expressing “profound shock and sorrow” at the incident. “Our thoughts are with the victims and their families. We are fully cooperating with law enforcement and emergency services,” the company said.
They also offered free rebooking and cancellation for all affected passengers and announced plans to enhance platform security patrols and conduct an internal review of emergency preparedness procedures.
Multiple bystanders have spoken about acts of courage that occurred amid the panic.
“I saw a man tackle the attacker briefly with his suitcase,” said Anna R., a 29-year-old student from Lübeck. “He tried to stop her before police arrived. I think he saved at least one life.”
Others described Deutsche Bahn staff helping guide passengers to safety, locking doors to train cabins, and using belts and scarves as makeshift tourniquets on bleeding victims.
Mental health support lines and victim assistance hotlines were set up by the City of Hamburg by 7:45 p.m., with counselors stationed at the main exit to help traumatized passengers and witnesses.
The incident sparked immediate reactions from political leaders across Germany.
Chancellor Anna-Lena Baerbock released a statement late Friday, calling the attack “a tragedy for all of us” and emphasizing unity and vigilance. “Violence has no place in our society, especially in spaces meant for daily life and travel,” she said. “We will take all necessary steps to understand what happened and to ensure our stations remain safe.”
Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing promised a “comprehensive review of security protocols” in collaboration with Deutsche Bahn, state police forces, and the Federal Railway Authority (EBA).
Opposition leaders have called for a parliamentary inquiry into station security and urged increased funding for mental health outreach programs.
The suspect has been placed in pre-trial detention and is expected to undergo a psychological evaluation before formal charges are filed. Charges may include attempted murder, aggravated assault, and endangering public safety.
Prosecutors have said a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Monday, May 26, and they will seek to keep the suspect in custody pending the outcome of the investigation.
A press conference by Hamburg Police is scheduled for Saturday at 11:00 a.m., where officials are expected to release further updates, including potential identifications of the victims, pending family notifications.
This is a developing story. More information will be provided as it becomes available.
If you were at Hamburg Central Station during the time of the attack and witnessed the incident or have relevant footage, you are urged to contact Hamburg Police at +49 40 4286 50 or send information to the authorities.
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