A 39-year-old man, who is said to be a resident in the small community on Värmdö in Stockholm, has been arrested on suspicion of being behind the attack.

The three victims were rushed to hospital in ambulances and ambulance helicopters.

Kjell Larsson of the Stockholm police confirmed to news agency TT on Wednesday that three people had been knifed, and one was in a critical condition.

“She has serious stomach wounds. I don’t know quite the extent of the damage but stomach wounds are never pretty,” he said.

The Karolinska University Hospital, which is treating one man and a woman, were unwilling to divulge the extent of the injuries but said that “there had been knives involved”.

Stockholm South General (Södersjukhuset) however said that they had received one female patient who had sustained minor injuries and would be released soon.

Police still have no idea about the motive behind the attack or if the injured individuals knew the perpetrator from before the incident.

The 39-year-old has been questioned by police over night but has so far refused to ay anything about what happened.

“He says nothing,” said David Beyersdorf of the police to TT.

However, according to witness statements the detained man was spotted roaming the area, acting threateningly against passers-by. He is not previously known to the police.

Police are not willing to divulge many particulars surrounding the incident at this stage in the investigation

“It’s all very sensitive as they come from such a small community,” said Albin Näverberg of the Stockholm police to TT.