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A routine train journey turned into a scene of chaos and horror on Saturday evening when nine passengers were stabbed on a London-bound train near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. British Transport Police confirmed that two men have been arrested, and the investigation – now involving counterterrorism officers – is focusing on uncovering what led to the shocking attack on the 6:25pm London North Eastern Railway (LNER) service from Doncaster to King’s Cross. Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned what he called an ‘appalling incident,’ sending his thoughts to the victims and thanking emergency responders for their swift action. Passengers trapped in terror as knife attack unfolds Witnesses described scenes of panic as chaos erupted on board the train shortly after it left Peterborough. Passengers reportedly ran through the carriages, shouting warnings like, “They’ve got a knife, I’ve been stabbed.” One witness told Sky News that the attacker appeared suddenly, leaving several people injured within moments. “He was extremely bloodied,” the passenger recalled. “By the time the train stopped, they were basically on the floor. That person ended up collapsing, and they were taken to an ambulance straight away.” Armed police rushed to Huntingdon Station after receiving emergency calls at around 7:39pm. The train was halted, and officers moved in quickly to detain two men. Another witness said armed officers aimed their weapons at a man on the platform wielding a large blade, who was later tasered and restrained. Reports from passengers suggest between eight and twelve people may have been hurt in total. Chief Superintendent Chris Casey of British Transport Police said: “We’re conducting urgent enquiries to establish what has happened. At this early stage, it would not be appropriate to speculate on the causes of the incident.” The force briefly activated “Plato,” the national emergency protocol used in suspected terror incidents, before confirming that the alert had been rescinded once it became clear there was no ongoing threat. Emergency response and eyewitness accounts The East of England Ambulance Service deployed what it described as a ‘large-scale response,’ with multiple ambulances, paramedics, and a specialist hazardous area response team sent to the scene. “We can confirm we have transported multiple patients to hospital,” a spokesperson said, adding that several people were being treated for life-threatening injuries. Footage from the scene showed flashing blue lights filling the night sky at Huntingdon Station, as emergency teams coordinated triage efforts on the platform. Local MP Ben Obese-Jecty praised the response, calling it “the largest and most effective I’ve ever seen.” He added: “It’s very reassuring to see such a quick and coordinated response from police, fire and ambulance services.” The incident prompted major disruption across the East Coast Main Line, with LNER warning passengers not to travel and confirming that all lines were blocked due to the emergency. In a statement, LNER said: “We are experiencing major disruption across our route. Emergency services are dealing with an incident at Huntingdon Station; all lines are blocked. Our advice is ‘Do Not Travel’.” National Rail later confirmed that the disruption could last until Monday, with Huntingdon Station remaining closed for investigations. Police and political reactions: calls for calm and clarity The Prime Minister called the incident “deeply concerning”, urging the public to stay calm and follow police advice. “My thoughts are with all those affected,” Starmer wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “I want to thank the emergency services for their response.” Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood echoed that sentiment, saying she was “deeply saddened” by the events and asked the public to avoid speculation while the investigation continues. Meanwhile, Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp described the attack as a “brutal mass stabbing” and urged authorities to provide a clear update as soon as possible. Counterterrorism police are assisting with the investigation, but officials stressed that no motive has yet been established. The Cambridgeshire Constabulary has asked anyone with information to come forward, quoting incident number 495 of 1 November. Officers continue to appeal for witness footage or photographs that could help piece together the sequence of events. A shaken community awaits answers For now, investigators are working to understand what triggered the attack that left nine people fighting for their lives and many others traumatised. Residents across Cambridgeshire and commuters across the UK have expressed shock at the violence on what should have been a normal Saturday journey. As the victims remain in hospital and officers continue their enquiries, the focus now turns to how such an attack could have unfolded — and what must be done to ensure it never happens again.
