On Friday, a German woman, reportedly suffering from mental health issues, launched a knife attack on passengers aboard a bus heading to Siegen, injuring six individuals. The incident could have resulted in a far greater tragedy if not for the heroic actions of three Albanian women who intervened to stop the attacker.
According to Siegen’s mayor, Steffen Meus, the attack was a significant event that had the potential to be much worse. “What happened on the bus traveling from Neunkirchen to Siegen is a tragedy, but thanks to three Albanian women, it could have been far more severe,” Meus stated, receiving applause from the crowd during the city’s festival on Saturday.
The Albanian women—A. P., A. B., and B. R-P.—are credited with preventing an even greater disaster. As revealed by Deutsche Welle, these courageous women were on the bus with four children, heading to a local festival when the attack occurred. They recounted their harrowing experience in a phone interview.
“We were enjoying ourselves, laughing and having a good time with the children,” B. R-P. described. “Suddenly, there was a scream. I saw a woman attacking others with a knife. She even tried to assault our children. A. P. managed to grab the knife, and together with A. B., they subdued and restrained the attacker. I quickly took the children out of the bus, then returned to grab the attacker’s bag and wrestled the knife away from her. We held her down until the police arrived. The bus was covered in blood—it was horrific.”
A. P. later realized she had sustained a severe knife wound. She and the other injured passengers were promptly taken to the hospital. A. P. has since been discharged and is recovering, though the trauma remains profound.
The city authorities have expressed their gratitude to the Albanian women. The mayor personally thanked them for their bravery and acknowledged their role in saving potentially many others from becoming victims. The women were also treated by psychologists on Friday night but continue to struggle with significant fear and anxiety. “Every time I close my eyes, those horrific images replay,” B. R-P. shared.
The heroic actions of these three Albanian women not only prevented a larger tragedy but also highlighted the crucial role of quick thinking and courage in the face of terror.
