A harrowing mass stabbing incident unfolded late Saturday on a high-speed train from Doncaster to London's King's Cross, leaving ten passengers hospitalized, nine with life-threatening injuries. British Transport Police responded to emergency calls at 7:39 p.m., halting the London North Eastern Railway service at Huntingdon station in Cambridgeshire. Armed officers, supported by counter-terrorism units, swarmed the scene amid reports of a man wielding a large knife, indiscriminately attacking passengers shortly after the train departed Peterborough.
Eyewitnesses recounted scenes of utter chaos, with blood splattered across carriages and passengers scrambling for safety. One witness told The Times of seeing the assailant with a large blade, prompting people to barricade themselves in washrooms as screams echoed through the train; others described hearing shouts of "we love you" amid the frenzy, possibly in a desperate bid to de-escalate. On the platform, bystanders watched in horror as the suspect was tasered and restrained by police after emerging from the halted train, while fellow passengers trampled over each other in panic.
The rapid response from emergency services was monumental: a fleet of ambulances, three air ambulances, and dozens of officers—including forensic teams and police dogs—descended on Huntingdon station, declaring a "major incident" and briefly invoking the "Plato" code for a potential marauding terror attack before rescinding it. Two suspects were arrested at the scene, and the investigation, now bolstered by counter-terrorism specialists, continues to probe motives amid Britain's ongoing knife crime crisis.
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UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the "appalling" attack as "deeply concerning," extending thoughts to the victims and gratitude to first responders in a statement on X. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood confirmed the arrests, urging the public to avoid speculation, while Huntingdon MP Ben Obese-Jecty decried the "horrendous scenes." The incident has caused widespread rail disruptions, with Huntingdon station closed and services halted, amplifying national outrage over rising violence on public transport.
As the nation reels, authorities emphasize community vigilance and cooperation in the probe. With victims fighting for survival and the full scope of the attack still unfolding, this tragedy underscores urgent calls for enhanced security on Britain's rails, leaving commuters and officials alike demanding swift justice for the survivors.
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