Armed police swarmed Huntingdon railway station Saturday evening after multiple passengers were stabbed aboard a train, in what officials are describing as a major incident. The attack, which occurred around 7:30 p.m., left several people hospitalized and forced the closure of both the station and surrounding routes.

According to Cambridgeshire Constabulary and the British Transport Police (BTP), officers responded swiftly after receiving reports of a knife assault on an LNER train bound for Huntingdon. “We are currently responding to an incident on a train to Huntingdon where multiple people have been stabbed,” the BTP confirmed in a statement on X, formerly Twitter. “Officers are in attendance alongside Cambridgeshire Constabulary, and two people have been arrested.”

Authorities confirmed that armed officers boarded the train after it was halted at Huntingdon station, taking two men into custody. “A number of people have been taken to hospital,” police said, adding that the motive for the attack remains under investigation.

The entire station was sealed off as forensic teams arrived, while the A1307 route leading into Huntingdon town centre was also closed to traffic. Rail services through the area were suspended, causing significant disruptions across the region.

Eyewitnesses reported scenes of panic and confusion as commuters scrambled for safety amid the chaos. Emergency responders were seen treating several victims on the platform before ambulances transported them to nearby hospitals.

The incident comes amid growing public concern over rising violent crime across the United Kingdom. Critics argue that the country’s soft-on-crime policies, lack of deterrence, and chronic underinvestment in law enforcement have emboldened violent offenders. In recent months, several major British cities have witnessed similar knife-related assaults, underscoring what many see as a national crisis in public safety.

As of late Saturday evening, authorities have not identified the suspects or victims. The investigation remains active, with police urging the public to avoid the area until the scene has been fully secured.