Eight injured in Munich knife rampage

A knifeman who fled the scene after attacking eight people in Munich suffered from suspected “psychological problems”, police have confirmed.

The 33-year-old suspect began indiscriminately stabbing passers-by in the Haidhausen area, east of downtown Munich, targeting eight people in all, including a 12-year-old child, at different sites.

The victims largely suffered from superficial stab wounds and in at least one case had been hit.

About three hours later, police arrested a man matching a description they had issued based on witness reports. They said he was heavy, unshaven with short blond hair and had a black bicycle and a backpack.

The 33-year-old, who was carrying a knife when he was arrested, was already known to police for bodily harm, drug offenses and theft, city police chief Hubertus Andrae told reporters.

The suspect didn't immediately give police any information on his motive.

"There are absolutely no indications at present of a terrorist, political or religious background, though we can only rule things out when all the questioning is finished," Chief Andrae said.

"Rather than that, we believe that the perpetrator had psychological problems."

He said police have "no serious doubts" that the suspect was the assailant, and that there was no longer any danger to the public.

The attack comes just a day after another person went on a stabbing rampage in a Poland shopping centre, killing one and injuring seven.