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At least four people have been injured after a man wielding an axe and hammer went on a violent rampage aboard a packed high-speed train in southern Germany.
The incident unfolded shortly after 2:00pm local time aboard an Intercity Express (ICE) service travelling toward Vienna, near Straßkirchen in the Bavarian region of Lower Bavaria.
Chaos on Board as Passenger Intervenes
German police confirmed that the attacker, reportedly a 21-year-old Syrian national, used multiple weapons—including an axe and hammer—to strike fellow passengers before being subdued.
In a dramatic turn of events, one brave passenger is said to have wrestled a weapon from the attacker and used it to help stop the assault, according to local media outlet BILD.
Passengers activated the emergency brake, forcing the train to a halt and prompting authorities to shut down the railway line between Straubing and Plattling.
Suspect in Custody
The suspect was arrested at the scene and remains in police custody. His motive is not yet known, and authorities have not ruled out the possibility of ideological or psychological factors.
Multiple emergency response units, including firefighters, armed police, and paramedics, were dispatched to the scene. The injured passengers were treated on site, with some taken to local hospitals. None of the injuries are believed to be life-threatening at this time.
A Pattern of Violence
This is the latest in a series of violent incidents to rattle Germany’s transport systems:
- Just a day earlier, a man attacked employees with a knife at a utility company in Mellrichstadt, killing one and injuring three others.
- In May 2025, a knife-wielding woman injured 18 people in a frenzied stabbing at Hamburg Central Station, one of Germany’s busiest rail hubs.
National Security Under Scrutiny
These repeated incidents have sparked fresh concern across Germany over security measures on public transport, particularly long-distance trains. Calls are growing for enhanced screening, increased onboard patrols, and mental health interventions.
German authorities say a full investigation is underway, and the suspect will likely face charges of attempted murder and grievous bodily harm.
