Swiss man launches attack on St Gallen train, at least six people injured

Authorities in Switzerland said the people injured in the attack had been taken to various hospitals in the Canton of St Gallen in eastern Switzerland.

Those injured included a six-year-old child, a 17-year-old male youth, a 50-year-old man, and three women aged 17, 34,and 43.

A motive for the attack was not given.

A police spokesman quoted by Reuters said "a terrorism background still seems very, very far-fetched," adding that the possibility of a crime of passion could not be excluded.

"According to current information a 27-year-old Swiss man poured out a flammable liquid. He was also armed with at least one knife. The liquid caught fire," St. Gallen cantonal police said in an initial statement.

The attacker was also taken to hospital with injuries.

The train had been approaching the station of Salez, close to Switzerland's mountainous eastern border with neighboring Liechtenstein, police said.

A massive contingent of rescue workers rushed to the scene, including police, firefighters, ambulances and three rescue helicopters.