LONDON – Ten people were hospitalized Saturday evening following a mass stabbing on a train traveling toward London, wiht nine sustaining life-threatening injuries, according to British transport Police. Two individuals have been arrested in connection with the incident.
The attack occurred on a Doncaster to London King’s Cross train as it approached Huntingdon, a town northwest of Cambridge. Emergency services, including armed police and air ambulances, responded to the scene after the train arrived at Huntingdon station at 7:39 p.m.
Police initiated “Plato,” a national code word used when responding to potential “marauding terror attacks,” though the declaration was later rescinded.counter Terrorism Policing is supporting the investigation to determine the circumstances and motivation behind the stabbings.
“Ten people have been taken to hospital with nine believed to have suffered life-threatening injuries,” British Transport Police stated.
Chief Superintendent Chris Casey said, “We’re conducting urgent enquiries to establish what has happened, and it could take some time before we are in a position to confirm anything further. At this early stage it would not be appropriate to speculate on the causes of the incident.”
the incident caused major disruption to rail services on the East Coast Mainline, with London North Eastern Railway (LNER) urging passengers not to travel.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said his “thoughts are with all those affected” following the “appalling incident.” Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mayor Paul Bristow reported hearing of “horrendous scenes” on the train.
