LONDON (AP) – British police announced that one of two men arrested in connection with a mass stabbing attack on a London-bound train has been released without charge. The incident, which sparked fear and chaos, occurred on the evening of November 1, 2025, and has left one person, a courageous railway staff member, in a life-threatening condition.
In an official statement released on Sunday evening, authorities revealed that the only remaining suspect, a 32-year-old British man, is still in custody on suspicion of attempted murder. The second man, aged 35, was deemed not involved and subsequently released without charge.
Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Cundy of the British Transport Police confirmed that they are not treating the stabbings as a terrorist act and that they are confident they are not searching for any additional suspects. However, they have yet to disclose any potential motive or the type of weapon used in the attack.
Cundy emphasized, “Our investigation is moving at pace, and we are confident we are not looking for anyone else in connection to the incident.” Specialist detectives are currently exploring the background of the suspect in custody, as well as the events leading up to the attack.
As of Sunday, six individuals remained hospitalized due to injuries sustained during the attack, with one in critical condition. This casualty is a member of the staff from London North Eastern Railway (LNER), the operator of the train service. The police commended the actions of this heroic railway staff member, stating that their bravery undoubtedly saved lives during the incident.
The remaining five individuals who were injured have since been discharged from the hospital. The incident unfolded aboard the 6:25 p.m. train from Doncaster to London King’s Cross as it was traveling through Huntingdon, a market town located approximately 120 kilometers (75 miles) north of London. The train was forced into an emergency stop shortly after departing Peterborough, where the suspect had boarded just minutes earlier.
Eyewitness accounts describe a scene of panic, with bloodied and confused passengers fleeing the train. According to passenger Olly Foster, shouting erupted as people repeatedly yelled, “run, run, there’s a guy literally stabbing everyone.” Initially perceiving it as a Halloween prank, Foster soon realized the seriousness of the situation when he noticed blood on his hand.
Panic ensued as individuals sought refuge in bathrooms and attempted to escape the chaos that unfolded in the train carriages. The police responded swiftly, apprehending the two suspects just eight minutes after emergency calls came in at 7:42 p.m. A knife was recovered at the scene, further underscoring the severity of the attack.
Immediately following the incident, police activated “Plato,” the national code word used for suspected marauding terror attacks; however, this declaration was later rescinded as authorities established there was no ongoing threat.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood praised the “exceptional bravery of staff and passengers on the train” who risked their safety to protect others during the attack. King Charles III expressed his condolences, stating that he and Queen Camilla were “truly appalled and shocked” upon hearing of the knife attack.
In response to the attack, heightened police presence was observed across the U.K.’s rail network on Sunday, with increased patrols on trains and at stations. The investigation, led by local authorities, continues to unfold as they work to piece together the events surrounding this tragic incident.
