British authorities have confirmed that two people remain in life-threatening condition following a mass stabbing on a London-bound train Saturday evening. Police have stated that the attack is not being treated as a terrorist incident.
According to British Transport Police Superintendent John Loveless, nine of the 10 initially injured passengers were in life-threatening condition overnight. Four victims have since been discharged, and an additional individual arrived at the hospital independently, bringing the total number of injured to 11.
Two suspects, both UK-born, remain in custody. One is a 32-year-old Black British man, and the other is a 35-year-old man of Caribbean descent.
“There is nothing to suggest this is a terrorist incident,” Loveless said.
The attack occurred aboard a train traveling from Doncaster to London’s King’s Cross station, approximately halfway through the journey near Huntingdon, about 120 kilometers (75 miles) north of London. Passengers reported panic as the incident unfolded, with eyewitness Olly Foster telling the BBC that he initially thought the chaos was a Halloween prank before realizing the severity as he noticed his hand was covered in blood.
Emergency responders, including armed police and air ambulances, were on scene as the train made an emergency stop at Huntingdon station, containing the incident quickly. Forensic teams and police dogs were deployed to investigate.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his concern, stating his “thoughts are with all those affected” by the “appalling incident.” Paul Bristow, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, described the scenes on the train as “horrendous.”
The train operator, London North Eastern Railway (LNER), confirmed the incident and warned of major service disruptions on the East Coast Mainline until Monday.
