New findings on the knife attack in Hamburg

Following the bloody knife attack at Hamburg Central Station on Friday evening, a judge has committed the suspect to a psychiatric facility. According to police, there are "very concrete indications of a mental illness on the part of the suspect."

This is made all the clearer by a statement from a spokesperson for the Lower Saxony Ministry of Health. He explained that the woman was released from a psychiatric hospital in the Cuxhaven district the day before the attack. She had previously been treated there. However, according to the hospital, at the time of her release, there were no medical findings that would have justified further detention.

The course of events

According to previous investigations, the 39-year-old German woman had stabbed passersby with a knife alone and, according to police, "apparently indiscriminately." She has since admitted the offense. 18 people were injured, four of them initially with life-threatening injuries. Their condition has since stabilized.

The woman was overpowered by two passersby at the scene and arrested by police. According to the prosecution, the suspect was originally from Lower Saxony and was homeless. A spokeswoman said there was no evidence of a political motive.

Political demands

Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) called it "shocking when travelers are attacked in a sneaky and cowardly manner." The opposition Green Party parliamentary group in the Bundestag called for more federal police at train stations and airports. Dobrindt is responsible for "ensuring this presence," said parliamentary group vice-chairman Konstantin von Notz.

Knives have been banned in the area of ​​Hamburg Central Station since October 1, 2023. According to the Federal Police, the station is one of the most dangerous stations in Germany. With more than 500,000 travelers per day, it is one of the busiest transport hubs in Germany.

fab/wa (epd, dpa, afp)