Knife Attack at Hamburg Train Station: 18 Injured, Suspect to Be Committed

On Friday, May 23, in the late afternoon, a knife attack caused panic on a crowded platform at Hamburg’s central train station, in northern Germany. A 39-year-old German woman assaulted travelers around 6 p.m., injuring 18 people, including four critically. The alleged attacker was apprehended shortly after the incident without resistance.

A Busy Station, a Heavy Toll

The attack occurred during rush hour at one of the country’s busiest transport hubs, used daily by more than 550,000 passengers. Several victims were evacuated on stretchers, and a large-scale emergency response was quickly deployed. Initially reported as 12 injured, the toll was later updated: 18 individuals between the ages of 19 and 85 were wounded. Four of them—including an 85-year-old woman—were in critical condition at first but are now reported to be stable.

No Political Motive, But Suspected Mental Illness

Authorities say the suspect acted alone and showed “strong indications of a mental illness.” She was neither under the influence of alcohol nor drugs at the time of the attack. Investigators have ruled out a political or ideological motive. The woman is expected to appear before a judge and may be committed to a psychiatric facility.

Shock and Concern Amid a Rise in Knife Violence

The attack has shocked the nation. “The news from Hamburg is horrifying,” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz wrote on X, extending his thoughts to the victims and thanking first responders. French President Emmanuel Macron also expressed his solidarity with the German people.

This attack comes amid a worrying rise in knife-related violence in Germany. In 2023 alone, nearly 8,900 such incidents were recorded. Despite recent legislative efforts to restrict the carrying of knives in public spaces and on long-distance transport—measures that include designated knife-free zones such as Hamburg station—experts and police unions have questioned their effectiveness. Recent knife attacks in Bielefeld, a schoolyard, and a park have further highlighted the challenges of preventing such assaults, often linked to mental health issues or extremist motives.