At least three people have been found dead and six others injured in a knife attack on Friday in the western German city of Solingen, where a celebration of the city’s anniversary had been taking place, officials said.
“This evening we are all in shock, horror and great sadness in Solingen. We all wanted to celebrate our city’s anniversary together and now we have to mourn dead and injured people,” said Mayor Tim Kurzbach in a statement.
“It breaks my heart that there was an attack on our city. I have tears in my eyes when I think of those we lost. I pray for everyone who is still fighting for their lives,” he added.
Police believe the attacker used a knife, and that person remained at large, a police spokesman in nearby Dusseldorf said.
The attack happened Friday night local time at a celebration for the city’s 650th anniversary. The “Festival of Diversity” began Friday and was to run through Sunday.
Herbert Reul, minister of the interior of North Rhine-Westphalia, told the press the attacker “out of nowhere” stabbed people randomly.
The dead are one woman and two men, and six people were severely injured, he said.
He added that at this point he does not know the identity of the attacker and that the motive is still unclear.
Police said Saturday they were still searching for the attacker, the Reuters reported.
“I also have great sympathy for all the people who had to witness this; it must have been terrible images. I thank all the rescue and security forces for their efforts,” Kurzbach said. “I ask you, if you believe, to pray with me and if not, then to hope with me.”
Hendrik Wüst, the minister-president of North Rhine-Westphalia, where Solingen is located, also expressed his shock and said the state is with the people of the city and the victims.
“An act of brutal and senseless violence has struck our country at the heart,” Wüst said.
Solingen is in North Rhine-Westphalia state, Germany’s most populous and bordering the Netherlands
The attack occurred at the Fronhof, the mayor’s statement said, a market square where live bands were playing.
The German government has been aiming to toughen rules on knives that can be carried in public by reducing the length allowed.
