Three people were killed, and four others severely injured in a brutal knife attack during a festival in the western German city of Solingen on Friday night. The search for the suspect extended into Saturday morning, with authorities still actively pursuing leads.
A police spokeswoman from nearby Düsseldorf informed AFP early Saturday that the manhunt had broadened beyond Solingen, with numerous roadblocks established around the city. However, there has been no detailed description of the suspect, and police are seeking information from the public about the attack, including photos and videos, through an online portal.
In the immediate aftermath, a large police force, including special units and a helicopter, was deployed to the scene, according to an AFP photographer. The attacker reportedly “stabbed people indiscriminately with a knife,” as reported by the Bild daily. The festival was part of a series of events celebrating Solingen’s 650th anniversary. The incident has left the city in shock and mourning.
Tim-Oliver Kurzbach, the mayor of Solingen, expressed the city’s grief in a statement posted online. “We all wanted to celebrate our town’s anniversary together, and now we have to mourn the dead and injured,” he said, describing the attack as “brutal and senseless.” Kurzbach also thanked emergency services for their swift response and sympathizing with those who witnessed the attack. The investigation is ongoing as authorities continue their search for the suspect.
