Counter-terrorism police are involved in an investigation into a mass stabbing on a train in eastern England, which left nine people with life-threatening injuries.
Police are believed to have Tasered a man with a large knife after going on a bloody rampage on a high-speed train after it left Peterborough station in Cambridgeshire.
British Transport Police (BTP) said two people were arrested over the stabbings, which occurred at 6:25 pm (1825 GMT) on the Doncaster to London King’s Cross train service on Saturday.
“Officers immediately attended Huntingdon station along with paramedics.
“Cambridgeshire Armed Police boarded the train and arrested two people in connection with the incident, who were taken into police custody.
“Ten people have been taken to hospital and nine are believed to have suffered life-threatening injuries. One is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries. There have been no fatalities.
“This has been declared a major incident and counter-terrorism police are supporting our investigation as we work to establish the full circumstances and motivation of this incident.”
BTP Chief Superintendent Chris Casey said: “This is a shocking incident and first and foremost my thoughts are with those who were injured tonight and their families.
“We are carrying out urgent investigations to establish what has happened and it could be some time before we are in a position to confirm anything further.
“At this point it would not be appropriate to speculate on the causes of the incident.
“Our response is ongoing at the station and will be for some time. Cordons are in place and no trains are currently running through the area, and there are also some road closures.
“I thank the public for their patience and cooperation tonight, which has already greatly assisted our police response. We will update you again as soon as we have more information.”
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the incident as “deeply worrying” and urged people to follow police advice.
Witnesses have spoken of seeing a man with a large knife and passengers hiding in toilets to escape the commotion, The Times newspaper reported.
One told the newspaper that there was “blood everywhere” and that other people were “stomping” on people as they tried to flee.
The witness said: “I heard some people shouting (we love you).”
The Sun newspaper said another witness described the attack as “like something out of a movie” and added: “It was a terrible scene, really violent.”
The attack is believed to have started shortly after the LNER train left Peterborough station.
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