Five people have been injured after a stabbing at New York City’s Penn Station, officials have said.
The attack happened at about 7pm local time on Sunday inside one of the busiest transport hubs in the United States. Emergency crews were called to the scene after reports that several people had been stabbed.
For more updates from around the world, follow our latest world news coverage.
According to the Fire Department of New York, one person suffered a serious injury, while two others sustained moderate injuries. The remaining victims were treated for minor injuries. All five were taken to Bellevue Hospital for medical care.
Police later arrested a suspect after a search following the attack. Reports in the US said the suspect was apprehended by Amtrak police.
Law enforcement sources said the stabbing appeared to be a random act of violence. The suspect was also described in US media reports as emotionally disturbed, though officials have not yet released full details about the person’s identity or what may have led to the attack.
The incident caused concern across Manhattan because of Penn Station’s location and the timing of the attack. The station sits directly beneath Madison Square Garden, one of New York’s most famous venues and the home of the New York Knicks.
The stabbing came as the city was already preparing for tighter security ahead of US President Donald Trump’s planned visit on Monday. Trump is expected to attend Game 3 of the NBA finals, where the New York Knicks are due to face the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden.
Officials had already announced extra security measures before the game because of the president’s expected presence. These include a no-bag policy at the venue and the cancellation of a planned outdoor watch party near the arena.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani is also expected to attend the game.
Penn Station is used daily by hundreds of thousands of commuters and visitors travelling through New York. It serves Amtrak, Long Island Rail Road and New Jersey Transit passengers, making it a key transport link for the city and the wider region.
Because of its connection to Madison Square Garden, any security incident at the station draws immediate attention from city officials, transport police and federal agencies.
The stabbing is likely to add to public concern about safety in major transport centres, especially during large public events. New York officials have faced pressure in recent years to improve security across the subway and major rail stations following a series of violent incidents.
At this stage, police have not said whether the attack had any connection to the NBA finals, Madison Square Garden or Trump’s visit. Early reports suggest investigators are treating it as a separate incident.
The New York Police Department has not yet provided detailed information on the victims’ identities. It is also not clear whether any of the injured people knew the suspect before the attack.
Authorities are expected to continue reviewing surveillance footage from inside and around the station as part of the investigation.
The arrest may ease immediate fears, but the incident has placed fresh focus on public safety in New York as the city prepares for a high-profile sports event and a presidential visit on the same day.
More details are expected from police as the investigation continues.