Terrified train passengers were forced to hide in a toilet as several people were stabbed in a knife rampage, witnesses have said.
Two men have been arrested following reports of multiple stabbings on a train near Huntingdon at around 7.39pm.
Armed officers rushed to the London North Eastern Railway (LNER) train after it stopped in the Cambridgeshire town. Several people have been hospitalised.
The attack is believed to have began shortly after train left Peterborough station, with travellers hiding in toilets as one suspect carried a ‘big knife’, witnesses have said.
One passenger described ‘blood everywhere’ as the ‘horrific’ scenes on the train descended into ‘pure chaos’.
‘It was a terrible scene, really violent. It was like something from a film,’ they told The Sun. ‘It didn’t feel real and just sparked pure panic onboard.
‘Shocked onlookers were shaken and traumatised.’
Another eyewitness detailed commuters emerging from the train ‘covered in blood’ after it arrived on the platform.
Train operator LNER have issued a ‘do not travel’ warning to passengers, saying ‘disruption is expected until the end of the day’.
The A1307 in the direction of the town centre has also been closed as the incident remains ongoing, Cambridgeshire Constabulary said.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the ‘apalling’ incident near Huntingdon as ‘deeply concerning’.
‘My thoughts are with all those affected, and my thanks go to the emergency services for their response,’ he said.
‘Anyone in the area should follow the advice of the police.’
Local Labour councillor, Alex Bulat expressed sympathies for those affected amid ongoing reports.
‘Really worrying,’ she wrote to Facebook, ‘My thoughts are with the victims and their families.’
Pictured: Police response after several people were stabbed on a train in the area of Huntingdon today
Pictured: Armed forces rushing to the scene where several people on a train travelling through Cambridgeshire were stabbed
Travellers reportedly hid in toilets as one suspect carried a ‘big knife’ amid the attack, witnesses said
Armed officers rushed to the London North Eastern Railway (LNER) train following reports of multiple stabbings at around 7.39pm this evening
Two men were arrested after the train stopped at Huntingdon, and several people have been taken to the hospital
British Transport Police issued the above statement via X earlier this evening
Chris Philip, the shadow Home Secretary, echoed a similar message following the ‘horrific scenes’ in Huntingdon.
‘Horrific scenes in Huntingdon, in what seems to be a brutal mass attack by two perpetrators,’ he said.
‘My thoughts are with all those injured or affected and the emergency services responding.
‘The police and government should provide an update on what happened and who has been arrested as soon as possible.’
Huntingdon MP Ben Obese-Jecty said in a post on X: ‘I am aware of the incident and am trying to establish further information.
‘My thoughts are with the victims and those involved.’
A spokesperson for British Transport Police said: ‘We are currently responding to an incident on a train to Huntingdon where multiple people have been stabbed.
‘Officers are in attendance alongside @CambsCops and two people have been arrested.
‘Further updates will be shared here.’
Train firm LNER said via X: ‘Due to the emergency services dealing with an incident at Huntingdon all lines are blocked.
‘Train services running through this station may be delayed. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.
‘Please check before you travel.’
Elsewhere, several train routes have been impacted, including Hull Trains to Hull and LNER trains to Lincoln, Doncaster, Leeds, Bradford Forster Square, and Harrogate.
Thameslink trains between Horsham, Kings Cross and Peterborough have also been affected.
This is breaking news story. Updates to follow.
