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At least 14 people have been injured - two seriously - in a 'mass stabbing' on a bus in Germany.

Police are not ruling out terrorism as a motive in the attack after a man dropped a smouldering backpack on a packed-out bus and stabbed several people at random.

Horrified passengers ran screaming from vehicle while others bravely took on the 34-year-old attacker who is yet to be named, according to reports.

The quick-thinking bus driver stopped the vehicle immediately and opened the doors for passengers to flee, before he too was allegedly attacked.

(Image: DPA) (Image: AFP / Getty) (Image: AFP / Getty) (Image: DPA)

During the horror incident this afternoon in Lubeck a man was reportedly stabbed in the chest with a kitchen knife as he stood up to offer his seat to an elderly passenger.

Local reports also claim the attacker may have had a gun and dropped a 'smouldering' backpack during the incident.

Police raced to the scene and he was overpowered by police and arrested.

According to Oberstastaanwaltin Hingst, the perpetrator is a reportedly a German citizen, who was born in Iran.

Authorities are not ruling out a terror attack at this stage and are still investigating the backpack which is believed to remain on the bus.

(Image: REX/Shutterstock) (Image: DPA)

(Image: DPA)

Interior Minister Grote said: "The perpetrator did not call or announce anything but it would be inappropriate to exclude a terrorist background.

"We have no indications for political radicalization in any form."

Eyewitnesses say the bus was full when one male passenger dropped a backpack which started 'smouldering', LN online report.

According to Interior Minister Grote, there were 70 people on the bus.

The bus driver then quickly noticed a fire in the bus and stopped immediately, according to police.

It is not clear if the man began attacking people before or after dropping the bag, but many outlets are reporting it was after.

(Image: REX/Shutterstock) (Image: REX/Shutterstock)

An eyewitness told LN Online: "One of the victims had just offered his place to an elderly woman, as the offender stabbed him in the chest. It was a carnage!"

While early reports claimed one man has been killed later reports suggest there have been no deaths.

Reporter Steffen Ludke tweeted the alleged perpetrator was 'overwhelmed' by police before being arrested at the scene.

The bus was making its way to the popular Travemunde beach when the attack happened.

(Image: GOOGLE)

(Image: REUTERS)

Eyewitness, named only as Lothar H, 87, lives at the scene: "The passengers jumped out of the bus and screamed, it was terrible, and then the injured were taken away."

Attorney Doctor Ulla Hingst told BILD: "Police were called just after 1.47pm today.

"The suspect stabbed a lot of people.

"The police eventually overpowered him and took him into custody. The facts are still unclear.

"Nothing can be ruled out, not a terrorist background".

German police have set up a citizen helpline on 0451 29079319 for those looking for information about friends or relaives.