A violent stabbing rampage at a festival in the western German city of Solingen has left authorities investigating the incident as a potential act of terrorism. The attack, which occurred late Friday evening, resulted in the deaths of three people and injuries to eight others.
The assailant, who is still at large, remains unidentified. However, investigators have detained a 15-year-old individual and are exploring a possible connection to the attacker. Markus Caspers, an official with the public prosecutor’s office in Duesseldorf, stated during a news conference that “terrorism” couldn’t be ruled out as a motive due to the lack of any other known reason for the attack and the apparent randomness of the victims.
Police confirmed that the assailant appeared to have targeted his victims’ throats. “The investigation and manhunt for possible further perpetrators and reasons for the crime are in full swing,” the police said in a statement.
The attack occurred during a festival celebrating Solingen’s 650th anniversary. Live bands were performing in the Fronhof, a market square in the city, when the assailant began his rampage. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed shock and grief over the incident, stating that the perpetrator must be caught and punished swiftly. President Frank-Walter Steinmeier also condemned the attack and called for unity against hatred and violence.
Authorities have canceled the remainder of the weekend festival and have cordoned off the square, where mourners have placed candles and flowers in memory of the victims.
This incident comes amid concerns about rising knife violence in Germany. Earlier this month, the government proposed tightening regulations on knives carried in public by reducing the maximum allowable blade length. The government’s action follows a series of high-profile knife attacks, including a fatal stabbing of a policeman in Mannheim in June and a stabbing attack on a train in 2021.
Solingen, known for its knife manufacturing industry, is a city with a population of approximately 165,000. The attack has shaken the community and raised questions about safety and security in the country.
