Three people were seriously injured on Monday night after a 17-year-old Afghan refugee went on a stabbing rampage near the southern German city of Würzburg, some 280 kilometers (174 miles) north-west of Munich. The suspect was shot dead by police shortly after.

The incident occured at around 9.15pm local time (1915 UTC) on a regional commuter train traveling between the German towns of Treuchlingen and Würzburg. Fourteen passengers were also treated for shock, while one other person sustained light injuries.

"The attacker appears to have been a 17-year-old Afghan who has been living in Ochsenfurt for some time," Herrmann said.

"He suddenly attacked passengers with a knife and an axe, critically injuring several. Some of them may now be fighting for their lives."

The Afghan national reportedly shouted "Allahu Akbar" before launching the attack, wielding a knife and axe.

"The perpetrator was able to leave the train, police left in pursuit and as part of this pursuit, they shot the attacker and killed him," a police spokesman said.

The motive of the attack was not immediately clear.

(DW)