Deadly Knife Attack at Solingen Festival Leaves Three Dead and Four Injured

A tragic knife attack at a festival in Solingen, western Germany, has left at least three people dead and four others seriously injured, according to local authorities. The attack took place on Friday night during an event celebrating the city’s 650th anniversary.

Police reported that the assailant, believed to be a male armed with a knife, fled the scene following the attack. A large-scale manhunt is currently underway, with police deploying a helicopter and a significant number of officers to locate the suspect. As of now, no arrests have been made, and authorities have not released any information regarding the motive or identity of the attacker.

Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach expressed his hope that rescue teams could save those who are still fighting for their lives and that the perpetrator would soon be apprehended. Hendrik Wüst, the regional premier of North Rhine-Westphalia, also conveyed his support for the victims and their families, thanking the rescue workers and police for their efforts during the crisis.

The attack occurred in the Fronhof market square in Solingen's city center, where approximately 10,000 people had gathered for the festival. The event, which was supposed to run through Sunday, has now been canceled. Witnesses reported that many of the victims were attacked near the stage where live music was being performed, with the attacker seemingly targeting their throats.

Emergency services received multiple calls around 9:30 p.m. from witnesses describing the horrific scene. A police spokesperson noted that many of those who witnessed the attack are in shock and are currently receiving care while providing statements to help identify the assailant. Police have also set up a website for the public to submit any footage or information related to the incident.

Philipp Müller, one of the festival organizers, addressed the crowd from the stage, urging them to remain calm as they evacuated the area. Local media later showed images of the empty festival grounds, now surrounded by police and emergency vehicles.

Solingen, a city with a population of about 160,000, is located near Cologne and Düsseldorf. The city's mayor, Tim-Oliver Kurzbach, expressed deep sorrow over the attack, stating, "We all wanted to celebrate our city’s anniversary together, and now we have to mourn the deaths and injuries. It breaks my heart that there was an attack on our city."

The incident has reignited discussions in Germany about rising knife violence in urban areas. Earlier this year, a similar attack in Mannheim left six people injured, including a police officer who was fatally stabbed.

Authorities continue to search for the suspect, and the city of Solingen remains on high alert as the investigation progresses.