Ambulances, fire trucks, and police vehicles surrounded the station’s Glockengießerwall entrance, and first responders set up a triage area inside the concourse to administer immediate aid.

Breakdown of Victim Injuries

Hamburg Fire Department Chief Jan Tönnies addressed the press in a hastily arranged briefing just outside the station. He confirmed that:

• 6 victims suffered life-threatening injuries, including deep abdominal and thoracic wounds.
• 3 individuals sustained serious injuries, such as severe lacerations to the neck and arms.
• 5 more were moderately injured by slashes or during the crowd’s panicked attempts to flee.
• 3 suffered minor wounds, including bruises and superficial cuts, believed to be caused by falling or being trampled in the chaos.

The injured were transported to three separate hospitals across Hamburg, with trauma units put on emergency readiness. At least two victims underwent emergency surgery by 9:00 p.m. local time.

Suspect Apprehended Without Resistance

The female suspect, described by police as a 39-year-old German national, was arrested on the platform minutes after the attack. According to police spokesperson Stefan Meyer, she did not resist arrest and dropped the weapon voluntarily when confronted by armed officers.

“At this stage, she appears to have acted alone. There is no evidence of a broader network or secondary suspect involved,” said Meyer.

Investigators are actively reviewing surveillance footage from over 80 cameras in and around the station. They are also interviewing more than 40 witnesses, including train passengers, Deutsche Bahn staff, and station security personnel.

Motive Remains a Mystery

As of Friday evening, no clear motive has been established. Authorities have not ruled out any possibilities, including personal crisis, mental health issues, political motivations, or ideological extremism.

A senior official with Hamburg’s criminal police division (Kriminalpolizei) confirmed that the suspect has no known history of terrorism-related activity, but noted that she has previously received mental health treatment. However, details remain under judicial seal as the investigation is ongoing.

Interior Minister for the State of Hamburg, Andreas Grote, urged the public and the media to refrain from “unfounded speculation or online disinformation,” emphasizing the importance of a fact-based investigation.

Heightened Security and Travel Disruptions

In response to the attack, security measures were immediately heightened at train stations across Germany. Hamburg Central Station, known as the busiest rail hub in the country, typically accommodates over 550,000 passengers per day, according to Deutsche Bahn statistics.

All luggage left on the premises during the evacuation was thoroughly screened by bomb squads and K9 units. As of 8:30 p.m., the station partially reopened, but platforms 13 and 14 remained closed pending forensic analysis.

Deutsche Bahn released a statement Friday evening expressing “profound shock and sorrow” at the incident. “Our thoughts are with the victims and their families. We are fully cooperating with law enforcement and emergency services,” the company said.

They also offered free rebooking and cancellation for all affected passengers and announced plans to enhance platform security patrols and conduct an internal review of emergency preparedness procedures.

Witnesses Speak of Panic and Heroism

Multiple bystanders have spoken about acts of courage that occurred amid the panic.

“I saw a man tackle the attacker briefly with his suitcase,” said Anna R., a 29-year-old student from Lübeck. “He tried to stop her before police arrived. I think he saved at least one life.”

Others described Deutsche Bahn staff helping guide passengers to safety, locking doors to train cabins, and using belts and scarves as makeshift tourniquets on bleeding victims.

Mental health support lines and victim assistance hotlines were set up by the City of Hamburg by 7:45 p.m., with counselors stationed at the main exit to help traumatized passengers and witnesses.

Political and Social Reactions

The incident sparked immediate reactions from political leaders across Germany.

Chancellor Anna-Lena Baerbock released a statement late Friday, calling the attack “a tragedy for all of us” and emphasizing unity and vigilance. “Violence has no place in our society, especially in spaces meant for daily life and travel,” she said. “We will take all necessary steps to understand what happened and to ensure our stations remain safe.”

Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing promised a “comprehensive review of security protocols” in collaboration with Deutsche Bahn, state police forces, and the Federal Railway Authority (EBA).

Opposition leaders have called for a parliamentary inquiry into station security and urged increased funding for mental health outreach programs.

Legal Proceedings and Next Steps

The suspect has been placed in pre-trial detention and is expected to undergo a psychological evaluation before formal charges are filed. Charges may include attempted murder, aggravated assault, and endangering public safety.

Prosecutors have said a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Monday, May 26, and they will seek to keep the suspect in custody pending the outcome of the investigation.

A press conference by Hamburg Police is scheduled for Saturday at 11:00 a.m., where officials are expected to release further updates, including potential identifications of the victims, pending family notifications.

This is a developing story. More information will be provided as it becomes available.

If you were at Hamburg Central Station during the time of the attack and witnessed the incident or have relevant footage, you are urged to contact Hamburg Police at +49 40 4286 50 or send information to

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