Authorities Declare "Major Incident," Launch Counterterrorism Investigation
Two Suspects Arrested; Motive Remains Unclear
A stabbing incident occurred on a train in the United Kingdom, injuring 10 people, and local police have launched a large-scale investigation, including suspicions of terrorism.
On the 1st (local time), police officers and paramedics are investigating a train where a stabbing incident occurred at Huntingdon Station in the United Kingdom. Photo by AFP Yonhap News
On the 1st (local time), major foreign media outlets including the BBC reported that a stabbing incident took place at around 7:42 p.m. on a train traveling through Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom, injuring multiple people. The train was approaching Huntingdon Station in Cambridgeshire at the time, and the incident was brought under control after the train arrived at the station. British police stated that 10 injured individuals were transported to the hospital, and among them, nine are in critical condition.
The BBC reported, "Passengers began to be stabbed about 10 minutes after the train left Peterborough, and witnesses saw injured people running through the train to escape someone wielding a knife. One witness later saw armed police on the train platform aiming their guns at a man holding a large knife."
Witness A stated, "A man got off the train with blood on his arm and told people to run because he had a knife, which made me realize something was wrong. When my friends and I ran toward the front of the train, we saw a man collapsed on the floor." Witness B said, "I heard someone shouting that people were being stabbed," and initially thought it might be a prank the day after Halloween. B added, "A few minutes later, people rushed into the carriage. When the suspect tried to stab a young woman, an elderly man intervened and suffered wounds to his head and neck. Nearby passengers tried to stop the bleeding with their jackets and other items."
Witness C, who was on the station platform as the train entered Huntingdon Station, reported, "As soon as the train arrived, several people ran onto the platform covered in blood, and among them, a man in a white shirt was completely soaked in blood."
On the 1st (local time), medical equipment of paramedics was scattered inside the police cordon at Huntingdon Station in the UK. Photo by AFP
Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident. Police stated, "This incident has been declared a 'major incident,' and the counterterrorism unit is assisting with the investigation. We are working to determine the full circumstances and motive behind the incident." They added, "The code name 'Plato,' which is used in response to potential terrorist attacks against the general public, was activated." Although this was later lifted, specific details such as the suspects' identities and motives have not yet been disclosed. Local police added that more time is needed to explain the circumstances of the incident.
Train services in the area where the incident occurred have been suspended. UK Prime Minister Starmer said, "This is extremely horrific and concerning," offering condolences to the victims and gratitude to the first responders, and urged people in the area to follow police instructions.
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