Nine stabbed in shock German knife attack

At least two people were killed and seven wounded in a knife attack on a train in Germany, before the attacker turned the weapon on himself.

Two people are dead and seven injured in a brutal knife attack in Germany. Picture: Jonas Walzberg/AFP

At least two people have been killed and seven wounded in a brutal knife attack on a train in Germany.

The alleged assailant attacked passengers and staff on the regional train travelling between Hamburg and Kiel on Wednesday local time.

The attacker allegedly carried out the assault – killing two and wounding seven, three of whom have severe injuries – before turning the knife on himself.

Firefighters clean the platform at the train station in Brokstedt after two people were killed and several others wounded in a knife attack on a regional train. Picture: Gregor Fischer / AFP

Passengers were able to overpower the alleged assailant, aged between 20 and 30, and take him down, police said.

An enormous police and emergency service operation was launched in the town of Brokstedt, 30 miles north of Hamburg, where the suspect was taken into custody.

The alleged attacker was wounded after trying to take his own life during the assault, police said.

One eyewitness said he saw blood traces in multiple carriages.

Forensic staff secure evidence on the platform of the train station in a huge police operation. Picture: Gregor Fischer/AFP

Another man at Brokstedt station said that his daughter called him from the train saying that she and other passengers had to leave the train “because someone stabbed them with a knife”.

“Witnesses were able to restrain the suspect immediately after the attack until police arrived at the station in Brokstedt,” police said in a statement.

The suspect’s motives are unknown and Brokstedt train station remains cordoned off. A spokesperson said police were investigating all possible motives, including extremism or psychological instability on the part of the assailant.

Police are investigating all motives after arresting the alleged assailant. Picture: Jonas Walzberg/AFP

The German train company Deutsche Bahn confirmed that the route between Brockstedt and the town of Wirst has been closed off and a rail replacement service is running.

Long-distance train routes have also been cancelled in the wake of the attack.

Brokstedt is a small community of just 2000 people around halfway between Hamburg and the port city of Kiel, on Germany’s Baltic Sea coast.

– With The Sun