In Schleswig-Holstein, a man attacked passengers with a knife on a regional train, killing at least two of them. At least five people were injured. This was confirmed by the Schleswig-Holstein Interior Minister Sabine Sütterlin-Waack (CDU) and the Federal Police of the DPA news agency. According to the information, the attacker was arrested by police officers in the Brokstedt train station (Steinburg district) between Neumünster and Hamburg. He is said to be between 20 and 30 years old and is being treated in hospital.

The train of the regional express line 70 was on the way from the Schleswig-Holstein state capital Kiel in the direction of Hamburg, it was said. Shortly before arriving at Brokstedt, the man attacked the passengers around 3 p.m. Several passengers informed the police. After the train stopped in Brokstedt, the events shifted from the wagons to the platform. The “Kieler Nachrichten” reported about the attack first. An eyewitness told the newspaper that passengers panicked.

Interior Minister Sütterlin-Waack told Norddeutscher Rundfunk: "It's really terrible. We're all shocked and appalled." She wanted to travel to Brokstedt on Wednesday evening to get an idea of ​​the situation. Prime Minister Daniel Günther (CDU) was also informed, it said in Kiel.

According to DB Regio Schleswig-Holstein, numerous trains on the connection between the two cities were canceled or delayed. A rail replacement service should be set up. The station of the 2000-inhabitant community was closed. Pictures from on site showed a large contingent of rescue and police forces.

Further information on the identities of those arrested and the victims, a possible motive for the crime and the condition of the injured were initially not available from the official side.

Editor's Note: This article has been continuously updated since it was first published.

Sources: "Kieler Nachrichten", Norddeutscher Rundfunk, DB Regio Schleswig-Holstein on Twitter, news agencies DPA and AFP