British police have launched an investigation into a horrifying mass stabbing that occurred aboard a London-bound train on Saturday evening, leaving 10 passengers injured, nine of them critically.
The attack, which sparked chaos and fear among commuters, took place on a service travelling from Doncaster to King’s Cross station.
Authorities confirmed that the train made an emergency stop at Huntingdon station in Cambridgeshire after multiple distress calls were received.
Emergency responders swiftly arrived at the scene, where two suspects were arrested. The British Transport Police said counter-terrorism officers are assisting with the investigation, although the motive behind the assault remains unclear.
“For now, we are keeping all possibilities open,” a police spokesperson said. “Our primary focus is on securing evidence and ensuring the safety of the public.”
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as passengers scrambled for safety. Olly Foster, one of those onboard, told the BBC he initially mistook the attack for a Halloween prank.
“Then I heard people screaming, ‘Run, run, he’s stabbing everyone!’ It was chaos,” he recalled. “When I looked down, my hands were covered in blood that wasn’t mine.”
Foster added that an older passenger intervened to shield a young girl from being stabbed. “It felt like forever,” he said, “but the whole thing lasted just a few minutes.”
Another witness told Sky News that one of the suspects was seen wielding a large knife on the platform before being subdued by police using a Taser.
Forensic teams worked through the night at the station, collecting evidence and documenting the aftermath of what officials have called one of the worst train attacks in recent memory.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the incident, calling it “an appalling and deeply troubling act of violence.”
He expressed sympathy for the victims and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to tackling what he described as Britain’s “knife crime crisis.”
London North Eastern Railway (LNER), the operator of the route, advised passengers to avoid travel on Sunday, citing disruptions and possible cancellations as investigations continued.
Knife-related violence has been on the rise across England and Wales in recent years. Despite having some of the strictest gun laws in the world, the country faces growing concerns over bladed weapon attacks.
Government statistics show that nearly 60,000 knives have been seized or surrendered under ongoing campaigns to curb the epidemic.
Earlier in October, a stabbing at a synagogue in Manchester left two people dead, including one accidentally shot by police, while another attack in London days later resulted in one death and two injuries.
Meanwhile, London security experts say these recurring incidents highlight the urgency of addressing knife violence through stronger enforcement, early intervention, and public awareness.
“We’re facing a nationwide challenge that requires more than arrests, it needs education, prevention, and community effort,” said one criminologist based in London.
The investigation into Saturday’s train stabbing is ongoing, with police expected to release further updates once the suspects’ identities and motives are confirmed.