LONDON (AP) — A mass stabbing attack on a London-bound train in eastern England left ten people hospitalized, with nine suffering from life-threatening injuries, according to British police. The incident, which unfolded aboard a train traveling from Doncaster to London’s King’s Cross station, occurred in the town of Huntingdon after the train made an emergency stop on Saturday evening, November 1, 2025.
Police reported that the situation escalated quickly, resulting in bloodied passengers fleeing the train as it arrived at the station, where a significant police presence awaited. Two suspects were apprehended by armed officers, although their identities and the motivation behind the attack remain undisclosed. Authorities indicated that counterterrorism police are supporting the ongoing investigation into the incident.
Defense Secretary John Healey addressed the media, suggesting that initial assessments point to the attack being an isolated incident. “The early assessment is that this was an isolated incident, an isolated attack,” he stated during an interview with Sky News.
British Transport Police confirmed that ten individuals were taken to the hospital, with nine believed to have sustained life-threatening injuries. The force described the incident as a major one and announced that they were working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the attack.
The police declaration of “Plato,” a national code word used during potentially marauding terrorist attacks, was implemented during the response but was later rescinded as the situation was contained. Chief Superintendent Chris Casey remarked, “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 cautioned against speculating about the motives behind the attack at this early stage of the investigation.
Eyewitness accounts highlight the chaos aboard the train, as passenger Olly Foster recounted hearing shouts of “run, run, there’s a guy literally stabbing everyone.” Initially dismissing the commotion as a Halloween prank, Foster later discovered his hand was bloodied from a seat he had leaned against in haste as others rushed past him to escape.
Emergency services, including armed police and air ambulances, responded rapidly as the train reached Huntingdon. The local police force, Cambridgeshire Constabulary, reported that officers were called to the scene at approximately 7:39 p.m., and they arrived within minutes to manage the situation.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his concern, stating that his “thoughts are with all those affected” by this “appalling incident.” The mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Paul Bristow, described the scenes on the train as “horrendous,” reflecting the severity of the attack.
London North Eastern Railway (LNER), which operates services on the East Coast Mainline, confirmed that the incident occurred on one of its trains and warned that major disruptions would affect travel on the route until the following Monday.
The rapid police response and the initiation of counterterrorism protocols demonstrate the urgency with which authorities are treating this serious incident, as they continue to gather evidence and piece together the motivations behind the attack. The situation remains fluid, as investigations proceed and updates will be provided in due course.
