In brief
Three people were stabbed shortly before 8:30 local time at Winterthur train station; one victim is in serious condition, the other two sustained moderate injuries.
A 31-year-old Swiss man was arrested at the scene after fleeing and is in custody; police have not yet disclosed his identity.
Multiple eyewitnesses reported hearing the attacker shout "Allahu Akbar" (God is greatest) five or six times before the stabbing.
The injured are Swiss nationals aged 28, 43, and 52; all were hospitalized, and one is in a life-threatening condition.
Police are investigating all possible motives and have cordoned off the station; the attack occurred in multiple spots around the station.
- 28 MayEyewitness arrives at Winterthur station
- 28 MayMan stabs three people at the station, shouting "Allahu Akbar"
- 28 MayPolice arrive and cordon off the area
Attack
On Thursday morning, around 8:30 local time, a man attacked passengers at Winterthur train station near Zurich. He used a bladed weapon, stabbing three people in multiple locations around the station. The victims, all Swiss nationals aged 28, 43, and 52, were taken to hospital; one is in serious condition.
Eyewitnesses
Several witnesses reported hearing the attacker shout "Allahu Akbar" several times before the stabbing. One witness, a student, said he heard the phrase five or six times and then saw people running in all directions. A taxi driver told the Neue Zürcher Zeitung he saw the man moving through the station's underpass while attacking people. A schoolteacher was seen standing in front of a group of children to protect them.
“I arrived at the station around 8:20. About 30 meters away I heard a man behind me shout "Allah Akbar" five or six times. People ran to the other side of the road, then silence returned.”
Police response
Canton Zurich police confirmed the arrest of a 31-year-old Swiss national who initially fled the scene but was later apprehended. The station area remains cordoned off as officers continue to gather evidence. A large police operation, involving ten to fifteen vehicles, arrived within five minutes of the attack.
Investigation
Authorities are investigating all possible motives and have not confirmed whether the incident is terror-related. The suspect's background is being examined. A video obtained by Blick appears to show the suspect fleeing the station hall while shouting the phrase. Some initial reports mentioned four injured, but police later confirmed three. Police have asked the public to avoid the area while the investigation proceeds.