Germany ax attack injures several on train, police kill suspect

An ax-wielding man who attacked several people on a train in southern Germany late Monday evening has been shot dead by police, regional police spokesman Lt. Fabian Hench said.

The assailant, armed with a knife and an ax, was identified as a 17-year-old Afghan man living in Ochsenfurt, Bavaria, Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann said.

He came to Germany without his parents, according to Alexander Gross, a police officer in Bavaria.

The attack took place as the train was traveling between Treuchtlingen and Wurzburg. The train made an emergency stop short of the station at Wurzburg-Heidingsfeld and the assailant jumped out of the train, Hench said.

Police hunted the man down with ground searchers and a helicopter, and he was killed, Hench said.

The attacker's motive is not yet known, Hench said.

Four passengers who were attacked are in serious condition, with the total number of wounded unclear, according to the police spokesman.

Some 14 to 25 people were classified as "in shock" and treated at the scene, according to Gross.

At least four of those injured on the train were from Hong Kong, Hong Kong's chief executive, CY Leung, said in a statement.
Approximately 20 to 30 people were on the train, according to Gross.

Train service is expected to resume tomorrow in time for the morning commute to work, Gross said.