A major incident has been declared after a mass stabbing on a London-bound train left nine people with life-threatening injuries and another hospitalised near Cambridge, UK.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the incident “deeply concerning” and thanked emergency services for their swift response.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said she was “deeply saddened” and is receiving regular updates on the investigation, urging the public to avoid speculation.
British Transport Police (BTP) said the attack occurred on the 6:25pm service from Doncaster to King’s Cross on Saturday evening. Armed officers stopped the train at Huntingdon Station, about 120 kilometres north of London, where two men were arrested.
Chief Superintendent Chris Casey described the attack as a “shocking incident” and said counter-terrorism officers were assisting the investigation. “We’re conducting urgent enquiries to establish what has happened, and it could take some time before we are in a position to confirm anything further,” he said, urging the public not to speculate about a motive.
The national “Plato” protocol — used in response to a potential marauding terror attack — was briefly activated and later rescinded. Emergency services declared a major incident and closed the A1307 road near the station.
The East of England Ambulance Service deployed multiple ambulances, critical care teams, and three air ambulances, confirming that several patients had been transported to nearby hospitals.
Witnesses described scenes of panic as passengers rushed to escape the attacker. One passenger told the BBC he initially thought the commotion was a post-Halloween prank until he saw “blood all over the chair” and his own hands. Another said a suspect was tasered by police while brandishing a large knife.
Huntingdon MP Ben Obese-Jecty described the train stabbing as an “appalling and devastating attack,” confirming that ten people were injured, nine critically. In a post on X, Obese-Jecty said he had been at the scene since 9:10pm “liaising with emergency services and news media following the Major Incident.” He later met with Cambridgeshire Chief Constable Simon Megicks to discuss the response. He said the attack took place after the train left Peterborough, and the service made an unscheduled stop at Huntingdon where “two individuals were arrested at the scene.” Police responded “within minutes” under Operation Plato, the protocol for potential terror incidents.
Obese-Jecty praised the swift and brave response of first responders, noting, “The Response Officers from Cambridgeshire Constabulary were first to arrive on the scene with the suspect still armed and at large.” He added that British Transport Police has primacy in the investigation, supported by Cambridgeshire Constabulary and Counter Terrorism Policing.
Cambridgeshire Mayor Paul Bristow said reports of “horrendous scenes” on the train were “deeply distressing.”
London North Eastern Railway (LNER), which operates trains on the East Coast Main Line, said all lines remain blocked while emergency services respond. “We are experiencing major disruption across the LNER route. Our advice is ‘Do Not Travel’,” the operator said.
Police said their response at Huntingdon Station will continue for several hours, with cordons and transport disruptions expected to remain in place.
Support our Journalism
No-nonsense journalism. No paywalls. Whether you’re in Australia, the UK, Canada, the USA, or India, you can support The Australia Today by taking a paid subscription via Patreon or donating via PayPal — and help keep honest, fearless journalism alive.
