Knife attack in Solingen: Manhunt in Germany after three dead at festival

CNN
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A manhunt is underway after an attacker armed with a knife killed three people and seriously injured several others at a folk festival in the western German city of Solingen on Friday, police told CNN.

Witnesses alerted the authorities at around 9:40 p.m. and said that an unknown perpetrator had randomly attacked several people with a knife on the Fronhof, a central square in the city about 25 kilometers east of Düsseldorf, German police said during a press conference.

The only male suspect is on the run and special police forces have been deployed to actively search for him, police said. Eight people were injured, five of them seriously, Reuters reported, citing police.

On Friday, crowds had gathered in the square to celebrate the “Festival of Diversity,” a three-day event marking the 650th anniversary of the city's founding. Police say the attack occurred near the stage where a music act was performing.

Herbert Reul, Interior Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, expressed his dismay in a televised statement: “What happened is a terrible incident. And even if you consider the dangerous situation we live in, something like this is always a shock.”

The motive for the attack remains unclear.

“None of us knows why this happened. I can't say anything about the motive or the person,” added Reul.

During a press conference, a police spokesman said that they “currently assume that this was a deliberate attack.” However, when asked by reporters whether it was a terrorist attack, the spokesman replied: “That would be pure speculation. I cannot say that at the moment.”

Images and footage from the scene showed several ambulances and police officers, as well as a helicopter flying overhead.

The police are using all available resources, including personnel and vehicles, the spokesman added.

“All of us in Solingen are experiencing shock, horror and great sadness this evening,” wrote Solingen’s mayor Tim Kurzbach on the city’s Facebook page.

“We wanted to celebrate our city’s birthday together and now we have to mourn the dead and injured.”

The mayor prayed for the victims fighting for their lives and thanked rescue and security forces for their help. “I ask you, if you believe, pray with me, and if not, hope with me,” he said.

According to the festival's website, the three-day “Festival of Diversity,” which includes music, food, performances and family-friendly entertainment, began Friday.

On Friday, the Bergische Symphoniker, the joint orchestra of the cities of Solingen and Remscheid, were supposed to play on the main stage.

Reporting by Melissa Gray of CNN.