U.K. police said Sunday that two people remain in a life-threatening condition following a mass stabbing on a London-bound train the previous evening. Authorities added that there was "nothing to suggest" the attack was a terrorist incident.
Overnight, police reported that nine of the 10 people injured were in life-threatening condition. British Transport Police Superintendent John Loveless said that four of those victims have since been discharged, and that another individual arrived at the hospital independently, raising the total number of injured to 11.
Loveless also confirmed that the two suspects remain in custody and were both born in the U.K. “One is a 32-year-old Black British man, the other is a 35-year-old man of Caribbean descent,” he said.
Why It Matters
The U.K. remains on high alert following a high-profile stabbing at a synagogue in Manchester on October 2. That attack, which the police treated as terrorism, was carried out by a British citizen of Syrian descent.
What To Know
Cambridgeshire police responded to a call at 7:39 p.m. local time after reports that multiple people had been stabbed on a train that was heading south, from Doncaster to London King's Cross. Passengers told police that the stabbing started around 10 minutes after the train had left the station at Peterborough. The British Transport Police confirmed that this was "a major incident" and that Counter Terrorism Police were supporting the investigation.
When responding to the incident, the police and emergency services used the term "Plato" (the U.K.'s national code for an expected aggressive terror attack), although the term has now been withdrawn and Chief Superintendent Chris Casey has since confirmed that "at this early stage it would not be appropriate to speculate on the causes of the incident.”
Victims and passengers fled the train when it arrived at Huntingdon, a market town, northwest of Cambridge and about 120km north of London, where armed police intercepted one of the men and apprehended him after he was shot with a taser, according to Sky News. He was seen carrying a large knife as he departed the train. It remains unclear what connection the second man arrested by police had to the incident. The two men have not yet been identified.
British outlet Sky News reported that between 20 and 30 emergency vehicles flooded a train station to help the victims. All rail line around the station were blocked as police and emergency personnel handled the situation.
The East of England Ambulance Service deployed three air ambulances to take the 10 victims to hospital, where they have been receiving urgent medical attention, with nine suffering from severe, life-threatening injuries.
Local Member of Parliament (MP) Ben Obese-Jecty, told Sky News that the station coincidentally was very close to the Cambridgeshire police headquarters, which allowed for a swift response by a "staggering" number of police officers.
Obese-Jecty said it was "very reassuring to see such a quick and effective response from the emergency services."
What People Are Saying
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer wrote on X: "The appalling incident on a train near Huntingdon is deeply concerning. My thoughts are with all those affected, and my thanks go to the emergency services for their response. Anyone in the area should follow the advice of the police."
Kemi Badenoch, leader of the U.K.'s Conservative Party, wrote on X: "Deeply disturbed by the reports emerging from Huntingdon. This is an absolutely horrific attack and my thoughts are with all those affected including the emergency responders at the scene."
U.K. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood wrote on X: "I am deeply saddened to hear about the stabbings in Huntingdon. My thoughts go out to all those affected. Two suspects have been immediately arrested and taken into custody. I am receiving regular updates on the investigation. I urge people to avoid comment and speculation at this early stage."
London North Eastern Railway (LNER) confirmed that the incident happened on one of its trains and issued the following statement on X: "Customers are advised to check before they travel, as there may be cancellations or alterations to our service today.”
What Happens Next
The investigation into the stabbings continues.
Update, 11/02/2025, 3:59 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
Update, 11/02/2025, 4:42 a.m. ET: This article and its headline were updated with additional information.
Update, 11/02/2025, 6:34 a.m. ET: This article and its headline were updated with additional information.
