Violent Attacks Shake Swedish Public Transport and Ambulance Workers in Early December

In early December 2025, Sweden has witnessed a series of violent attacks targeting public transport and ambulance personnel, raising concerns about worker safety during their duties.

In Linköping, a bus driver suffered a brutal assault by a passenger during the morning commute in October. Surveillance footage reveals the assailant striking the driver in the head and attempting to poke his eyes. The severity of the attack has left the bus driver unable to return to work even a month later.

Separately, in a tragic incident, ambulance paramedic Helena Löfgren was fatally stabbed by a 26-year-old man. Court documents disclose that three days before the murder, the same man had violently attacked another ambulance colleague at the same location, wielding a baseball bat. The paramedic recounted the sudden aggression: "Suddenly, he becomes aggressive and throws himself at me," describing the intense and unexpected violence.

The attacker had previously expressed suicidal thoughts to his mother, prompting ambulance personnel to intervene. Despite their intent "to help him," the man turned hostile. The victim described being pushed against a doorframe and defending himself from a swinging bat. The assailant was subsequently detained and spent two days in a psychiatric facility before his release the day prior to Löfgren's murder. In court, he expressed remorse and apologized, admitting to being under the influence of alcohol during the initial assault.

These incidents highlight the increasing dangers faced by frontline workers in Sweden’s public transport and emergency services. Authorities continue to investigate and address the complex circumstances around these violent acts, emphasizing the need for improved protections for workers devoted to public safety and care.