A manhunt is underway after an attacker armed with a knife killed three people and seriously wounded several others at a festival Friday in the western German city of Solingen, police told CNN. The attack took place at the Fronhof, a central square in the city, about 25 kilometers (15 miles) east of Dusseldorf, during the “Festival of Diversity,” a three-day event marking the 650th anniversary of the city’s founding.

Witnesses alerted authorities at around 9:40 p.m. saying an unknown perpetrator had attacked several people at random with a knife. Police later said that eight people were wounded, five of them seriously.

The lone male suspect is on the run and special police forces have been deployed to the active manhunt.

The premier of North Rhine-Westphalia, the state which includes Solingen, said the incident “struck our country to the heart.”

“North Rhine-Westphalia is united in shock and grief. In these dark hours, the people of our state and beyond are in Solingen with their hearts and thoughts. An act of brutal and senseless violence has struck our country to the heart,” Hendrik Wüst said in a statement on X.

Herbert Reul, the state’s interior minister, said in a televised statement that the motive for the attack remains unclear.

“None of us know why this happened. I can’t say anything about the motive, about the person,” Reul said.

During a press conference, a police spokesperson said their “current assessment is that this was a deliberate attack.” Asked by reporters whether this was a terror attack, however, the spokesperson cautioned: “That would just be speculation. I can’t say that at the moment.”

Images and footage from the scene showed several ambulances and police officers, as well as a helicopter flying overhead.

Germany’s Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said authorities were “doing everything they can to apprehend the perpetrator and determine the background to the attack.”

“We mourn the people who were torn from their lives in a terrible way. My thoughts are with the families of those killed and those seriously injured,” she added on X.

The city’s mayor, Tim Kurzbach, said: “This evening, all of us in Solingen are experiencing shock, horror, and great sadness.”

“We all wanted to celebrate our city’s anniversary together and now we have to mourn the dead and injured,” he wrote on Solingen’s Facebook page.

The mayor sent his prayers to the victims fighting for their lives and thanked the rescue and security personnel for their help. “I ask you, if you believe, pray with me and, if not, then hope with me,” he said.

According to the festival’s website, Friday was the start of the three-day “Festival of Diversity,” which would include music, food, performances, and family-friendly entertainment.

Bergisch Symphony Orchestra, the shared orchestra for the cities of Solingen and Remscheid, was scheduled to play on the main stage on Friday.

Response to the Attack

The attack has sent shockwaves through the city of Solingen and the country as a whole. The mayor, Tim Kurzbach, expressed his shock and grief, saying that the city was “all in shock, horror and great sadness” and that they had to mourn the dead and injured.

The German Health Minister, Karl Lauterbach, also expressed his condolences and said he hoped the rescue workers would be able to save the injured and that the police would be able to catch the perpetrator.

Impact on the Festival

The festival was immediately shut down following the attack. Authorities asked residents to leave the city center. The rest of the festival, which was scheduled to run through Sunday, was canceled.

Ongoing Investigation and Manhunt

Police have launched a major operation to find the suspect, who escaped in the turmoil and panic that initially spread after the crime. The attack occurred near the central square of Solingen, which is located near Cologne and Duesseldorf.

The police have cordoned off large areas of the city, and residents have been asked to stay indoors and avoid the city center. Armed officers and special police units have been deployed to the area.

Looking Back: A City in Mourning

The attack has cast a shadow over the city of Solingen, which was celebrating its 650th anniversary. The city’s mayor, Tim Kurzbach, wrote on the city’s Facebook page, “It breaks my heart that an attack on our city happened.”

The attack is a stark reminder of the dangers that can lurk in seemingly peaceful gatherings. It is a tragedy that has left a community in mourning and raised concerns about safety and security in public spaces. As the investigation continues, the city of Solingen will be left to grapple with the aftermath of this senseless act of violence.