An urgent police manhunt is underway across London after a knifeman allegedly charged at terrified passengers on the Tube brandishing a large machete.
Panic on the Northern Line
The shocking incident unfolded at approximately 6:11pm on Friday, 17 November, at Balham Underground station in south-west London. According to the British Transport Police, a young man was seen with a knife before he jumped the barriers and fled the station, prompting an immediate and ongoing search.
Shocking footage circulated on social media shows the moment of sheer panic, with commuters seen kneeling on the floor of a Northern Line train carriage for safety. In one video, a woman's anxious voice can be heard asking, 'is he still there?' as three passengers cautiously lean out of the train doors to check if the coast is clear.
Eyewitness Accounts of the Attack
One eyewitness on the platform gave a chilling account, stating: 'Young guy holding a huge knife/machete ran towards us. Everyone ran and hid on the next tube over. So so scary, glad to be okay.'
Another social media user described scenes of chaos, with people screaming and banging on the windows of the train to warn others. They posted: 'The tube was about to leave Balham going to Morden, people started screaming down the platform and banging on Tube windows 'he has a knife get off the train'.' The same user added that station staff subsequently reported that 'four kids have a knife and they have run away.'
The fear even extended to parents of those involved. One concerned individual shared online: 'My daughter and her friend were on the train. They stayed on it as they believed the perpetrator got off at Balham. Her and her friend are safe. So scary.'
Ongoing Investigation and Appeal
The disruption caused by the emergency was confirmed by the train driver in an audio clip, who announced over the intercom: 'Apologies for this delay. We have had the emergency alarm pulled on the train and we will be going back to investigate in a second.'
The British Transport Police have confirmed that the suspect remains at large and have launched a public appeal for information. A spokesperson for the force stated: 'Urgent enquiries into this incident are ongoing, and anyone who witnessed the man or has information is asked to contact British Transport Police.'
Anyone with information is urged to text 61016 or call 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 511 of 17 November.
