Isis has claimed responsibility for the attack on a train in Germany, describing the 17-year-old Afghan refugee who assaulted several passengers as an "Isis fighter".

Amaq, the media arm of Isis, said in a statement the attacker "answered calls to strike countries participating in the anti-ISIS coalition.

Police found a "hand painted Isis flag" in the room of the young man, the German interior ministry revealed earlier today.

Police found a "hand painted Isis flag" in the room of the young man, the German interior ministry revealed earlier today.

About 20 people were injured, including two who are in a life-threatening condition, during the attack on train close to the city of Wurzburg in Bavaria on Monday night.

The attacker, who was later shot dead by police, reportedly shouted "Allahu Akbar" (God is great) during the incident.


Image: German emergency services workers work in the area where a man with an axe attacked passengers on a train near the city of Wuerzburg, Germany early July 19. Photograph: Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters