A routine train trip through western Switzerland turned into a terrifying experience when a hostage situation developed. First comment reported.
Armed with an ax and a knife, a Swiss man hijacked a train on Thursday and took 15 people hostage, including 14 passengers and a conductor, in western Switzerland.
The stalemate lasted for four hours and ended dramatically with a police raid in which the suspect died after he attacked police with an axe.
Fortunately, the hostages were unharmed and were released safely once the captor was killed.
The incident occurred in Essert-Sous-Champvent, western Switzerland, on Thursday night between 6:35 pm and 22:30 pm local time.
According to Vaud canton police spokesman Jean-Christophe Sauterel, “the kidnapper was armed with an ax and a knife and spoke Farsi and English.”
The suspect had forced the train driver to join passengers after the train stopped near Yverdon.
“At this stage of the investigation, the perpetrator's motives are unknown,” Sauterel said.
The identity of the kidnapper, he added, has not yet been officially confirmed and checks are being carried out.
Negotiations with the suspect were conducted partly through WhatsApp and with the help of a Farsi-speaking translator.
Authorities eventually decided to raid the train and maneuvered to keep the man away from the hostages, according to Sauterel.
