HAMBURG, Germany — A knife attack at Hamburg’s Central Station left multiple individuals with serious injuries on Friday evening, prompting a swift response from local authorities. Police confirmed that 18 people were injured, some critically, during the incident that took place around 6 p.m. local time.

Authorities apprehended a 39-year-old woman at the scene as they launched a substantial operation to secure the area. She remains in custody and is expected to face a judge on Saturday. The police indicated that they believe the attacker acted independently and did not have any political motives for the violence. Instead, they suspect the woman may have been experiencing mental distress.

Eyewitnesses reported chaos as the assault occurred between platforms 13 and 14, with a train present at one of the platforms at the time. Some of the injured were treated in trains as emergency services hurried to assist them. Visuals from the site showed a significant presence of first responders, as well as barriers erected to shield victims from public view.

Hamburg’s police department, in a statement on social media, acknowledged the severity of the injuries and commended the emergency crews for their quick actions. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz described the incident as “shocking,” expressing gratitude towards the police and medical personnel for their rapid response.

The attack led to the temporary closure of four platforms at the bustling transport hub, which accommodates over 550,000 passengers daily. Travelers experienced service disruptions as some trains were delayed or rerouted due to the ongoing investigation.

This incident adds to a troubling pattern of violent attacks in Germany over recent months. Earlier this year, a tragic stabbing in Aschaffenburg claimed the lives of a two-year-old and a 41-year-old man, while a Spanish tourist was attacked at Berlin’s Holocaust Memorial just weeks later. In December, a driver plowed into a crowd at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, resulting in six fatalities and numerous injuries.

In light of these incidents, discussions surrounding immigration and national security have intensified within Germany, especially after previous attacks involved suspects from migrant backgrounds. This has spurred debates over border control and public safety, making these issues increasingly significant in the political realm as the country approaches federal elections.