Knifeman arrested after stabbing 10 passengers on Tokyo commuter train

MARI YAMAGUCHI
Rescuers papare stretchers at Soshigaya Okura Station after stabbing on a commuter train, in Tokyo Friday, Aug. 6, 2021. A man with a knife stabbed passengers on a commuter train Friday and was arrested by police after fleeing, fire department officials and news reports said. (Kyodo News via AP)
Rescuers papare stretchers at Soshigaya Okura Station after stabbing on a commuter train, in Tokyo Friday, Aug. 6, 2021. A man with a knife stabbed passengers on a commuter train Friday and was arrested by police after fleeing, fire department officials and news reports said. (Kyodo News via AP) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

(AP) - A man with a knife has been arrested after stabbing at least 10 passengers on a commuter train in Tokyo.

NHK public television reported that one passenger was seriously injured.

It said the suspect left the knife behind as he fled and was later arrested in Tokyo where the Olympics Games will close on Sunday.

The Tokyo Fire Department said nine of the 10 injured passengers were taken to nearby hospitals while the 10th was able to walk away.

All of those injured were conscious, officials said.

Policemen stand as ticket gates are sealed off at Soshigaya Okura Station after stabbing on a commuter train, in Tokyo Friday, Aug. 6, 2021. A man with a knife stabbed passengers on a commuter train Friday and was arrested by police after fleeing, fire department officials and news reports said. (Kyodo News via AP)
Policemen stand as ticket gates are sealed off at Soshigaya Okura Station after stabbing on a commuter train, in Tokyo Friday, Aug. 6, 2021. A man with a knife stabbed passengers on a commuter train Friday and was arrested by police after fleeing, fire department officials and news reports said. (Kyodo News via AP) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

A witness at a nearby station where the train stopped said passengers were panicking and rushing out of the carriages.

Another witness told NHK that he saw passengers smeared with blood come out of the train, as an announcer asked for doctors and passengers carrying towels.

NHK said the suspect walked into a convenience store and said he was tired of running away, and the store manager called police after seeing blood stains on the man’s shirt.

It said the suspect is in his 20s.

The stabbing occurred near Seijogakuen station, according to railway operator Odakyu Electric Railway.

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