A 27-year-old German man who does not live in Bavaria attacked four commuters shortly before 05:00 (03:00 GMT) on Tuesday at Grafing station. One of the victims died of his wounds in hospital. He was eventually overpowered by police and arrested.

Some witnesses said he shouted “Allahu akbar” (“God is great” in Arabic) but the motive for the attack is unclear.

Police spokesman Karl-Heinz Segerer told German television that the man “expressed political motivations” during the attack.

They gave no details, saying it is a matter for the investigation.

Footage from the scene showed bloody footprints on a train and the station platform in Grafing, a Bavarian town 40km (25 miles) east of Munich.