German woman arrested after 18 injured in Hamburg knife attack, authorities say

Eighteen people were injured, including four critically, after a knife attack on Friday at Hamburg Central Station. German police confirmed the arrest of a 39-year-old German woman, who is believed to have acted alone. Authorities said she is in custody and expected to appear in court on Saturday.

Police launched a major operation in the aftermath of the attack. They later confirmed that seven victims were “badly injured” and another seven suffered “light injuries.” The victims range in age from 19 to 85 years old.

On Saturday, police said the four critically injured are stable. These include a 24-year-old woman, a 24-year-old man, a 52-year-old woman, and an 85-year-old woman.

Investigators said the suspect appeared to have chosen victims at random. “She stabbed passersby indiscriminately, injuring some of them critically,” the Hamburg police said in a statement.

Authorities also revealed that the suspect likely suffers from mental illness. Forensic teams, captured on video by RTL Germany, were seen inspecting the scene while police secured the area.

The attack took place at Hamburg Central Station, Germany’s busiest train hub, with over 550,000 daily travelers, according to city data.

Federal leaders expressed sympathy for the victims and praised emergency responders. Friedrich Merz, a senior political figure, said his thoughts were with those injured and their families. Government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius relayed Merz’s gratitude to the city’s emergency personnel.

Federal Minister of the Interior Alexander Dobrindt also condemned the attack. “It is shocking when travelers are attacked in a treacherous and cowardly manner,” Dobrindt said.

This incident adds to growing concerns about knife violence across Germany. The country has seen a sharp rise in such crimes in recent years. Some high-profile attacks have fueled debate over migration policies, especially ahead of February’s parliamentary elections.

Earlier this year, a 28-year-old Afghan man was arrested after a knife attack in Aschaffenburg. That assault left two people dead, including a toddler.

In another case, a Syrian man confessed last year to killing three people at a festival in Solingen. He also injured several others before turning himself in.

Experts and law enforcement agencies continue to investigate the factors behind this increase in knife crimes. Some point to mental health issues, while others raise concerns about social integration and criminal justice gaps.

Hamburg authorities have yet to announce formal charges. They confirmed the investigation remains active and expect to release more details after Saturday’s court hearing.

This article will be updated as more information becomes available.