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.
Crowds had gathered at the square Friday to celebrate the “Festival of Diversity,” a three-day event marking the 650th anniversary of the city’s founding.
Police say the attack occurred close to the stage where a musical act was performing.
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.
My thoughts are with the families of those killed and those seriously injured,” she added on X.
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.
Following an attacker using a knife at a festival in the western German city of Solingen on Friday, three people were killed and numerous others were critically injured, police in the area told CNN. A manhunt is now underway.
Around 9:40 p.m., witnesses informed the authorities. me. German police said at a press conference that an unidentified perpetrator had randomly attacked multiple people with a knife at the Fronhof, the city’s central square, which is located roughly 25 kilometers (15 miles) east of Dusseldorf.
Eight people were hurt, five of them critically, according to police, who later stated that the lone male suspect is still at large and that specialized police forces have been called in for the active manhunt.
On Friday, large crowds gathered in the square to commemorate the 650th anniversary of the city’s founding with the “Festival of Diversity,” a three-day celebration. Authorities claim that the attack happened near the location of a musical act’s stage.
The incident, according to the premier of North Rhine-Westphalia, the state that contains Solingen, “struck our country to the heart.”. “.
“North Rhine-Westphalia is in unison with sorrow and shock. The people of our state and beyond are in Solingen with their hearts and thoughts during these gloomy times. Hendrik Wüst said in a statement on X that “an act of brutal and senseless violence has struck to the heart of our nation.”.
The state’s interior minister, Herbert Reul, stated in a televised statement that the attack’s motivation is still unknown.
We are all in the dark as to why this occurred. I’m not allowed to discuss the person or the motivation,” Reul remarked.
According to a police spokesperson, “our current assessment is that this was a deliberate attack,” during a press conference. In response to a question from reporters about whether this was a terror attack, the spokesperson said, “That would just be speculation.”. Right now, I’m unable to say that. “.
Multiple ambulances, police cars, and a helicopter flying overhead were visible in pictures and videos taken at the scene.
Authorities were “doing everything they can to apprehend the perpetrator and determine the background to the attack,” according to Germany’s Interior Minister Nancy Faeser. “.
“People who had their lives ripped apart in a horrible way are mourned by us. She continued on X, “My thoughts are with the families of those who were killed and those who were seriously injured.
Tim Kurzbach, the mayor of the city, stated: “We are all very shocked, horrified, and saddened here in Solingen tonight.”. “.
On Solingen’s Facebook page, he posted, “We all wanted to celebrate our city’s anniversary together and now we have to mourn the dead and injured.”.
In addition to thanking the security and rescue teams for their assistance, the mayor offered his condolences to the victims who are struggling to survive. “If you believe, please pray with me; if not, please hope with me,” he uttered.
The three-day “Festival of Diversity,” which would feature performances, cuisine, music, and family-friendly entertainment, began on Friday, according to the festival’s website.
The main stage performance on Friday was set to feature the Bergisch Symphony Orchestra, the joint orchestra of Solingen and Remscheid.
Melissa Gray of CNN provided additional reporting.
