A stabbing attack at a festival in the western German city of Solingen left at least three people dead and four severely injured, according to a report by CNN. The incident occurred at the Fronhof, a central square in the city, during the “Festival of Diversity,” which was being held over the weekend to celebrate Solingen’s 650th anniversary.
Police have launched a manhunt for the attacker, who remains at large. Authorities have not ruled out terrorism as a motive. Local media, including Euro News and the German news agency dpa, reported that a knife was believed to be the weapon used, although no arrests had been made at the time of the report.
Images from the scene revealed a strong presence of ambulances, police officers, and even a helicopter hovering overhead. Solingen, a city of around 160,000 residents, is situated close to the larger cities of Cologne and Düsseldorf.
The city’s mayor, Tim Kurzbach, expressed his shock and sorrow over the tragedy in a message shared on the city’s Facebook page, saying, “This evening, all of us in Solingen are experiencing shock, horror, and great sadness.” He also thanked the rescue and security personnel for their efforts and offered prayers for the victims still fighting for their lives.
The three-day festival, which began on Friday, was meant to feature music, food, and family-friendly entertainment, as outlined on the festival’s website. However, the downtown area was evacuated as authorities advised people to leave for safety reasons. Further details on the attack are still awaited.
