A horrifying attack occurred on a high-speed train traveling from Hamburg to Vienna on Thursday, when a 20-year-old Syrian man assaulted passengers with a hammer and an axe, injuring four people—three of whom were also Syrian nationals.
The attack took place at 1:55 p.m. local time while the train was passing through the Bavarian region in southeastern Germany. Other passengers managed to subdue the attacker before police arrived and took him into custody.
Police stated that the motive behind the attack remains unclear. The suspect reportedly holds legal residency in Austria, and Austrian authorities have launched an investigation into his background and activities in Vienna. Among the injured were a Syrian woman and her son. The nationality of the fourth victim, a 38-year-old man, has not been disclosed.
Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann described the incident as “alarming,” noting that the attacker had been living legally in Austria.
Train operator Deutsche Bahn expressed its “deep shock” over the violent incident and offered its sympathy and best wishes for a speedy recovery to the victims.
