Axe Attacker Arrested After Injuring Seven at Dusseldorf Train Station

Dusseldorf station axe attack
Police guard the entrance of the main train station in Dusseldorf, Germany, March 9. A man attacked several people at the train station late Thursday. Petra Wischgoll/Reuters

Seven people were injured in an axe attack in Dusseldorf, Germany, late Thursday evening.

The incident happened at the city's main train station at about 9 p.m. local time, the BBC reported.

Police said the perpetrator "attacked people at random," and no fatalities have been reported, although one person is seriously injured.

A 36-year-old man from the former Yugoslavia has been arrested. Police said he suffers from psychological problems.

There is no clear motive for the attack. It has not been described as terror-related, and police have urged the public not to engage in speculation.

Germany has been tense about the prospect of terror attacks following a string of bloody incidents last year, including a shooting spree in Munich and a truck attack on a Christmas market in Berlin.

Uncommon Knowledge

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

About the writer


Josh is a staff writer covering Europe, including politics, policy, immigration and more.

To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, Click here.

Newsweek cover
  • Newsweek magazine delivered to your door
  • Newsweek Voices: Diverse audio opinions
  • Enjoy ad-free browsing on Newsweek.com
  • Comment on articles
  • Newsweek app updates on-the-go
Newsweek cover
  • Newsweek Voices: Diverse audio opinions
  • Enjoy ad-free browsing on Newsweek.com
  • Comment on articles
  • Newsweek app updates on-the-go