An attack on the 650th anniversary of the city of Solingen left several people dead and injured, according to German media reports. According to “Bild”, at least three people were killed in the attack.
The murder weapon was presumably a knife, according to police sources. As the “Bild” newspaper reported, a man randomly stabbed passers-by with a knife at around 9:45 p.m. at the town festival in Solingen. According to reports, there are at least three dead and seriously injured. Numerous rescue workers are currently resuscitating the injured.
BREAKING: At least 9 people stabbed at Festival of Diversity in Solingen, Germany. Reports of multiple fatalities – FOCUS pic.twitter.com/vS610XkBHc
— BNO News (@BNONews) August 23, 2024
According to witnesses, an Arab-looking perpetrator is on the run. The police have declared a major alarm and a rampage. A police helicopter is flying over the city festival grounds. Police sources said that no arrests have been made yet.
Officials secure the scene
Officers are currently at the scene with weapons and are securing it. There are barriers all over the city. Screens have been erected. The crime scene is the Fronhof – a market square in downtown Solingen. There is a stage for live music there. The rescue workers are said to be fighting for the lives of nine people, reported the television station ntv.
According to the “Solinger Tageblatt”, the authorities have asked the people of Solingen to leave the city center. The festival is over for now. Sirens can be heard all around the city center. According to the report, Philipp Müller, one of the co-organizers, explained on stage that the emergency services were fighting for the lives of nine people. Thousands of visitors followed the request to leave the square calmly and not to panic.
A “Festival of Diversity” began on Friday to mark the 650th anniversary of the city of Solingen. It was to last until Sunday. The announcement states: “Solingen Mitte will become a large festival mile: the celebrations will take place from Neumarkt to Fronhof and Mühlenplatz.” A program with music, cabaret, acrobatics, arts and crafts, entertainment for children and much more awaits visitors in the streets.
