Stabbing at Swiss train station leaves three injured; suspect shouts 'Allahu Akbar' before attack

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.