WINTERTHUR, Switzerland — A man armed with a knife wounded three people near the train station in Winterthur on Thursday morning while shouting “Allahu akbar,” according to police and witnesses.

Authorities said the attack happened shortly before 8:30 a.m. near the station entrance, triggering a large police response and panic among commuters and schoolchildren in the area.

Zurich cantonal police said three Swiss men, ages 28, 43 and 52, suffered stab wounds in the attack. One victim sustained serious injuries, while the other two were moderately injured and taken to hospitals for treatment.

Police said officers arrested the suspect at the scene within minutes of the first emergency calls. Authorities identified him as a 31-year-old Swiss man.

Taxi driver Turhan Muslu, who witnessed the attack, told local media the suspect appeared to try to stab a passerby before security personnel intervened.

“The victim defended himself with his hands and feet,” Muslu said. “Everything happened very quickly.”

Authorities sealed off the area around the station, creating a large security perimeter as investigators examined the scene.

Police have not announced a motive.

Swiss broadcaster SRF reported the suspect had previously been linked to Islamist circles surrounding the now-closed An’Nur mosque. The report also said the suspect had spent time in a psychiatric clinic. Authorities have not publicly confirmed those details.

The investigation remains ongoing.