UK police said confirmed the stabbing of 11 passengers on a London-bound train in eastern England. The authorities have ruled out terrorism, described the event as an isolated incident.
Initially police reported that nine of the 10 people wounded in the attack were in a life-threatening condition. By Sunday, British Transport Police said five of the victims had been discharged.
Cambridgeshire police said they were called at around 7:39pm on Saturday, November 1 after reports that multiple people had been stabbed on a train, the 6:25pm service from Doncaster to London King’s Cross. Initially, police made two arrests but later released one of the suspects without making charges. The other man remained in custody. Anthony Williams, a 32-year-old man, is the suspect and has been charged with multiple counts of attempted murder.
A train worker, was in critical condition after he protected passengers from the stabbings. He was called a “hero” by police and also praised by UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander. “He put himself in harm’s way and there are people who are alive today who wouldn’t be alive had it not been for his actions,” Alexander said.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called it an “appalling incident” that was “deeply concerning.” Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood said she was “deeply saddened” and urged people to avoid comment and speculation.
The mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Paul Bristow, said in a post on X that he was hearing “reports of horrendous scenes on a train in Huntingdon. Thoughts are with everyone affected.”