Switzerland: Man 'shouts Allahu Akbar' as three stabbed at train station

A major police operation is underway after three people were stabbed at a train station in Switzerland.

As reported by local media outlet Tagesanzeiger, at least three people were injured and a 31-year-old was arrested after reports of a stabbing at Winterthur train station this morning. Earlier local reports had suggested four people had been injured.

According to local reports, the alleged attacker “shouted ‘Allahu Akbar’ and stabbed a number of individuals with a knife”. Police are at the scene and the station area is currently cordoned off. Forensic officers are also at the scene.

A class of schoolchildren was in the vicinity of the attack, with their teacher shielding them behind themselves, local media also said. The alleged attack took place near the station underpass.

Police said the attack happened shortly after 6.30am and the suspected perpetrator is a 31-year-old Swiss national who was arrested. The three people who were injured in the attack — all of them Swiss, aged 28, 43, and 52 – are receiving hospital care, a spokesperson for the Zurich cantonal police also said.

Swiss newspaper Blick said they saw a video showing a man running out of the station shouting “Allahu Akbar”. A major police operation is now underway, and the force said the alleged attacker’s motive are currently being investigated.

It is understood the alleged attacks took place at different locations, and a total of three areas around the underpass were cordoned off for around three hours.