A manhunt is under way after three people were killed and eight others injured in a knife attack in the western German city of Solingen, police say. The attack happened during a festival in the city centre on Friday evening. Five of those injured are in a critical condition, according to German media reports.
On Saturday, police said they are still looking for the attacker, with national security forces deployed to the scene. They gave no details of a motive. The man reportedly stabbed passers-by at random when the industrial city was celebrating 650 years since it was founded.
The attacker is believed to have deliberately stabbed his victims in the neck, local media report. Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Saturday that the assailant must be caught quickly and punished to fullest extent of the law. Interior minister Nancy Faeser expressed her condolences, saying security authorities are "doing everything they can to catch the perpetrator and determine the background of the attack".
Solingen - a city in North Rhineland-Westphalia famous for its steel industry - has about 160,000 inhabitants. It lies about 15 miles (25 km) east of Düsseldorf and north-east of Cologne.
In a news conference in the early hours of Saturday, regional interior minister Herbert Reul said: "You don't want to believe what you see here at the crime scene. It weighs heavily. My thoughts are with the relatives of the victims and the injured. We can only pray that the seriously injured will survive." The city's authorities asked people to leave the Fronhof market area after the attack at about 22:00 local time (21:00 BST) on Friday, as police set up security cordons.
Emergency crews at the scene were seen treating the injured and police later deployed 40 tactical vehicles in the hunt for the stabbing suspect, according to German news outlet Bild. The vehicles are being commanded by SEK (Special Task Force) officers. Roads have been blocked and residents told to stay indoors as officers carry out their search.
Speaking on Friday, Philipp Müller, one of the festival organisers, said people were shocked but left the square peacefully after the attack. Eyewitness Lars Breitzke told the Solinger Tageblatt newspaper that he knew something was wrong when he saw a singer on stage with a strange expression on their face. "And then a person fell over just a metre away from me," he said.
Police spokesman Alexander Kresta was quoted by German media as saying "we are currently assuming that it was one person" after talking to numerous eyewitnesses. Police also said they "have no indication of his whereabouts", nor details about his appearance.
In a Facebook statement, Solingen Mayor Tim Kurzbach said: "Tonight all of us in Solingen are in shock, horror and great sadness. We all wanted to celebrate our city anniversary together and now we have to mourn the dead and injured. It breaks my heart that an attack has happened in our city. I have tears in my eyes when I think of those we've lost. I pray for all those still fighting for their lives. Also my greatest sympathy for all those who had to experience this, these images must have been horrific." Police have now sealed off the scene of the attack
Speaking to the BBC later on Friday, Solinger Tageblatt's deputy editor Björn Boch said the celebrations had been "supposed to last for three days, and the city expected 25,000 people every night. The city was just packed with people," he said, estimating that "a few thousand people" were at Friday's free event.
The Stabbing Attack and Its Impact
The stabbing attack in Solingen has sent shockwaves through Germany. The attack occurred at a diversity festival celebrating the city's 650th anniversary, highlighting the tragic reality of violence in a time of celebration. This incident has also sparked discussions on the need for stronger security measures, particularly in light of rising knife violence in Germany. While investigations are ongoing, the motive behind the attack remains unclear.
The Manhunt for the Suspect
German authorities have launched a large-scale manhunt for the suspect. Police have deployed a significant number of officers, including special units, to search the city center. The authorities are urging residents to remain cautious and report any suspicious activity. The search for the suspect continues, and updates on the investigation are awaited.
The Aftermath of the Tragedy
The attack has left the city of Solingen in a state of grief and shock. People have been seen laying flowers and candles at the scene of the attack, a poignant testament to the lives lost. The attack has also prompted expressions of solidarity and condemnation from prominent figures, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola. The city's mayor, Tim Kurzbach, expressed his heartbreak and offered prayers for the victims. The attack has underscored the importance of unity and resilience in the face of tragedy.
The incident in Solingen is a stark reminder of the fragility of safety and the devastating impact of violence. It has also triggered a renewed focus on security measures, particularly in public spaces. As the investigation continues, the city of Solingen and the nation are united in their hope for justice and healing.
