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Eight people were injured in a Swedish city after a stabbing attack that police say could be linked to terrorism.
A man in his 20s attacked people in the town of Vetlanda, about 210 miles south of the capital Stockholm, on Wednesday afternoon.
Aftonbladet said the weapon used was a knife, but the Associated Press reported it was an ax.
Police said people had been stabbed in at least five places in the city of about 13,000 people, and some of the victims were in serious condition.
The motive for the attacker was unclear, but Prime Minister Stefan Lofven said terrorism was possible.
He said: “In light of what has emerged so far in the police investigation, prosecutors have launched a preliminary investigation into terrorist crimes.
“We face such heinous acts with the combined strength of our society.”
Sweden’s national security agency SAPO is also working on the case, he said, adding: “They continually assess whether there are reasons to take security improvement measures and are prepared to do so if necessary.”
Regional Police Chief Malena Grann said: “We have launched a preliminary investigation for attempted murder, but there are details in the investigation that lead us to investigate possible terrorist motives.”
Asa Karlqvist owns a flower shop in the city and told the local newspaper Vetlanda-Posten: “We heard a scream in the street.
“Then we saw a man enter the store, yelling that he had been stabbed.
“Blood was pouring from his shoulder, so we grabbed towels and applied pressure to the wound.”
Meanwhile, the attacker is in hospital after being shot by police before being arrested.
Local police chief Jonas Lindell said “it appears the injuries are not life threatening,” but did not elaborate.
Police have not publicly identified the attacker, but said they already knew him for minor offenses.
There is no indication that others were involved in the attack, they added.
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