London (United Kingdom): On Thursday evening, a pocketknife wade took place on a London North Eastern Railway train in Cambridgeshire, UK, in which passengers were attacked and injured. The train was traveling from Doncaster to London King's Cross and stopped suddenly at Huntingdon, just short of Peterborough station. Police have said that it has been supposed as a “major incident.”
How many people were injured, and what is the situation?
According to police, at least 10 people have been injured, and the condition of 9 of them is critical. Everyone is undergoing treatment in local hospitals. At present no death has been confirmed, but many passengers have suffered serious injuries. Some videos showed that police and paramedic teams immediately entered the train, and the injured were taken out on stretchers.
What is the status of the arrests, and what could be the motive?
Two male suspects have been detained. Police said one of the suspects was armed with a large pocketknife and was stopped with a Taser. However, the motive of the incident is not well-spoken yet, and the team of Counter Terrorism Policing has moreover joined the investigation.
What impact did this incident have on railways and public transport?
Huntingdon station and surrounding rail lines have been closed. London North Eastern Railway has urged passengers not to travel there right now as services are facing “major disruption.” Railway officials said that it may take a few hours to bring the situation when to normal. During this time, the police surrounded the unshortened zone and conducted a search operation.
How are the British government and officials responding?
Prime Minister Keir Starmer tabbed the wade “deeply worrying” and praised the response of emergency services. Home Minister Shabana Mahmood has requested the public not to spread rumors.
This incident could be a new sign of the waffly climate of pocketknife violence, which is increasing in Britain. An investigation is underway to determine whether the wade was based on personal rivalry or there is some deeper motive overdue it. The public has been asked to follow the instructions of the police and report any suspicious information as soon as they see it.
