Three people were killed and four others seriously injured in a knife attack in the western German city of Solingen, according to police reports. The incident occurred on Friday evening during a festival in the city center. The attacker remains at large.
The attack took place around 22:00 local time (21:00 BST) as the industrial city was celebrating its 650th anniversary. According to the Bild news website, the assailant randomly stabbed passers-by, prompting a massive manhunt that included police helicopters hovering over the city.
Authorities quickly cordoned off the Fronhof market area and urged people to leave as emergency crews treated the injured. Police deployed 40 tactical vehicles, commanded by SEK (Special Task Force) officers, to search for the suspect. Roads were blocked, and residents were advised to stay indoors as the manhunt continued.
Philipp Müller, one of the festival organizers, told the Solinger Tageblatt newspaper that emergency crews were fighting to save the lives of nine people. “People are shocked, but they left the square peacefully,” Müller said.
Eyewitness Lars Breitzke described a chilling scene, recalling how he realized something was wrong when he noticed a singer on stage with a strange expression. Moments later, he saw someone collapse just a meter away from him.
German media reported that the attacker deliberately targeted victims by stabbing them in the neck. Police spokesman Alexander Kresta told Spiegel website that after interviewing multiple eyewitnesses, authorities believe only one person was responsible for the attack.
Solingen Mayor Tim Kurzbach expressed his sorrow and shock in a Facebook statement: “Tonight, all of us in Solingen are in shock, horror, and great sadness. We wanted to celebrate our city anniversary together, and now we are mourning the dead and injured. It breaks my heart that such an attack has occurred in our city. I am deeply saddened when I think of those we have lost and pray for those still fighting for their lives. My deepest sympathies go out to everyone affected by this tragedy.”
Björn Boch, deputy editor of the Solinger Tageblatt, noted that the festival had been planned to last three days, with an expected attendance of 25,000 people each night. “The city was just packed with people,” he said, estimating that “a few thousand people” were present at Friday’s free event.
Following the attack, the celebrations have been canceled. Solingen, located in North Rhine-Westphalia and known for its steel industry, has a population of approximately 160,000. The city is situated about 15 miles (25 km) east of Düsseldorf and northeast of Cologne.
Source: BBC