Stabbing attack in Solingen: Manhunt in Germany after three killed at festival

CNN
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A manhunt is underway after a knife-wielding attacker killed three people and seriously wounded four others at a festival in the western German city of Solingen on Friday, German police told CNN.

Eyewitnesses alerted authorities at around 9:40 p.m. local time (00:40 GMT) saying an unknown perpetrator had randomly attacked several people with a knife in the city’s central Froenhof Square, 25 kilometers (15 miles) east of Duesseldorf, German police said at a news conference.

The police added that the only suspect is on the run, and special police forces have been deployed in the pursuit operation.

Crowds had gathered at the square on Friday to celebrate the “Festival of Diversity,” a three-day event marking the city’s 650th anniversary. Police say the attack happened near a theater where a musical performance was taking place.

Herbert Reul, the interior minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, expressed his shock in a televised statement, saying: “What happened is a terrible accident. Even if we consider how serious the situation we are living in is, something like this is always a shock.”

The motive for the attack remains unclear.

“None of us know why this happened. I can’t say anything about the motive or the person,” Rowell added.

During a press conference, a police spokesman said that “their current assessment is that this was a deliberate attack.” But when asked by reporters if it was a terrorist attack, the spokesman cautioned: “That would be speculation. I can’t say that at the moment.”

Pictures and footage from the scene showed a number of ambulances and police officers, as well as a helicopter flying overhead.

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

“This evening, all of us in Solingen are shocked, horrified and deeply saddened,” Solingen Mayor Tim Kurzbach wrote on the city’s Facebook page.

“We all wanted to celebrate our city’s anniversary together and now we have to mourn the dead and wounded.”

The mayor offered his prayers to the victims who are fighting for their lives and thanked the rescue and security personnel for their assistance. He said: “I ask you, if you believe, to pray with me, and if you do not believe, to wish with me.”

According to the festival’s website, Friday marked the start of a three-day festival of diversity, which includes music, food, performances and family-friendly entertainment.

The Bergisch Symphony Orchestra, the joint orchestra of the cities of Solingen and Remscheid, was scheduled to play on the main stage on Friday.

This report was prepared by CNN’s Melissa Gray.