Attack on Swiss train leaves passengers stabbed and burnt

Emergency services attend the scene at Salez - Sennwald train station after a man attacked other passengers aboard a train. Photo / AP

A man set a train carriage in Switzerland on fire using a flammable liquid and also stabbed passengers on Saturday, injuring six people, including a six-year-old child, police said.

The man, a 27-year-old Swiss citizen, carried out the attack on a train travelling in Switzerland's far east, along its border with Liechtenstein, and was also injured, regional police in St Gallen said in a statement.

The offender carried out the attack on a train making its way to Switzerland's far east along its border with Liechtenstein at 2.20pm local time.

Local media reported three women aged 17, 34 and 43 sustained injuries in the attack, while a 17-year-old boy and 50-year-old man were also targeted.

Some of the injured are said to be in a serious condition.

Several dozen other passengers were on board at the time of the shock incident, and a "massive contingent" of police, firefighters, rescue helicopters and paramedics are at the scene.

The train stands near the station after a man attacked other passengers aboard the train at Salez. Photo / AP

The train's carriage was reportedly left drenched in blood as the victims were treated at the scene before being rushed to hospital.

In a statement released after the incident, officials said the suspect was also injured in the attack, and rushed to a hospital near Salez in St Gallen Canton.

Three rescue helicopters are at the scene as officials launch a major criminal investigation into the attack.

In a statement, St Gallen Police added: "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."

Motive for the attack remains unclear, according to investigators, and the station remains closed.