How 3 passengers thwart 'terror attack' on train to France

A gunman armed with a Kalashnikov had opened fire on the high-speed train, but was soon overpowered by two off-duty American servicemen and a civilian

A heavily armed gunman opened fire on a train in northern France, injuring three people, before being overpowered by three brave passengers.

According to the BBC, the incident happened on the high-speed Thalys service near Arras, and the attacker was arrested at Arras station.

The three passengers -- two off duty American military officers and a civilian -- acted quickly and prevented a possible attack on the train carrying 550 people. 

The suspect emerged from the bathroom as the train crossed Belgium shirtless, carrying a Kalashnikov, when one of the passengers spotted him.

“The three of us beat up the guy,” said Anthony Sadler to CNN.  "In the process Spencer (Stone) gets slashed multiple times by the box cutter, and Alek (Skarlatos) takes the AK away,” he added.   

The man arrested was identified as a 26-year-old Moroccan. The weapons of the gunman were said to include a Kalashnikov, a knife, an automatic pistol and cartridges.

According to French authorities, three people were injured in the incident, two of them seriously.

US President Barack Obama praised the trio.  "The president expressed his profound gratitude for the courage and quick thinking of several passengers, including US service members, who selflessly subdued the attacker," the White House said in a statement.    

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel called the incident a "terrorist attack".