Cowards.
It would be hard for it to happen where I live. Most people carry knives, or guns. Some innocent people would probably get shot by a would be hero. But the attack would be unlikely here.

You don’t want to bring a machete to a gun fight.

Is there any source? I’m curious to know the full story.

I believe it happens in many countries. The ones with strong male/ religious laws. Family honor hoo-ha also. My opinion is also that it goes on constantly. You just are hearing about it more now due to technology. Horrible to imagine all, isn’t it?

The instinct for survival is difficult to overcome. Few who have not had special training are capable of responding to such a situation without regard to their safety. As much as we might like to believe that we would have acted to save her and/or capture her attacker, consciousness is likely to be overwhelmed by emotion and we will flee from the danger.

Sadly this probably happens in many nations. However many news organizations may not want to report it.

Don’t be so quick to fault people caught off guard. The one essential in a teeming railway station or any massed crowd is regimentation. People just aren’t ready for a machete wielding madman.

I’m just curious to know what would have you (op) done if present at the spot at that moment?

I agree with @imrainmaker What would YOU, @sabari have done? Would you have rushed the guy and risked getting your throat slit? Violence happens everywhere and until we are faced with a similar situation we cannot, nor should we judge. Heros are mostly in the movies and the average person is probably not going to be one.

@Mimishu1995 This might help you http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/Infosys-employee-killed-in-broad-day-light-at-Nungambakkam-railway-station/2016/06/24/article3497950.ece1"

@imrainmaker I would have definitely rushed her to a hospital nearby the railway station. Because I can’t stand the sight of someone who is in trouble. I believe you too would do the same. If she is dead by the time I saw her, I would have get down to the railway track where you can find many stones about the size of your palm. I would throw those stones at him and many would have definitely followed me. But I was at gym near by when that tragedy happened.

@Coloma As you said heroes are mostly in the movies. I can’t risk my throat getting slit but still there are many things that can be done by any common man.