- A festival-goer armed with a knife takes the lives of three individuals.
During the commemoration event for Solingen's 650th anniversary, a violent incident occurred, resulting in three tragic deaths and at least five individuals sustaining severe injuries. According to North Rhine-Westphalia's Interior Minister, Herbert Reul, the casualties include a woman and two men. The perpetrator remains at large, with no current information on their whereabouts, as stated by a police spokesperson. No concrete details about the appearance of the elusive suspect have been reported, causing concern among investigators.
The fingerpoints towards a single suspect, as suggested by witnesses' statements collected by the police so far. "We haven't detected any other persons involved in this incident," the police spokesperson added.
The attack took place approximately 21:37. Shortly after, an emergency alert was issued, prompting at least one helicopter to take flight, numerous emergency vehicles with flashing lights and ambulances rushing towards the scene, streets being blocked off, and armed officers securing the area.
Stunned reactions following the incident in Solingen
Eyewitnesses who had been near the incident were left in shock. They are currently being cared for and interviewed to provide more accurate insights. The assailant managed to escape in the panic and chaos that followed the attack, according to a spokesperson from the NRW Interior Ministry. The attacker focused on the victims' necks and they were guests attending the festival. The crime scene remains under investigation, with the bodies still at the site and yet to be identified.
The authorities urged the public to report any suspicious activities to the emergency number, 110, instead of taking matters into their own hands. The police in Wuppertal also advised people to avoid the Solingen city center. The attack was no longer categorized as a rampage but as an assault, with the assailant's targeted actions supporting this classification.
Philipp Müller, one of the festival organizers, reportedly informed the "Solinger Tagblatt" shortly after the attack that nine individuals required resuscitation attempts. Thousands of spectators obeyed the call to vacate the square calmly, preventing a general panic.
A journalist from the "Solinger Tageblatt" described the scene as "unsettling." The festive atmosphere quickly turned into shock, and she encountered visitors with teary eyes.
Herbert Reul, NRW's Interior Minister (CDU), arrived at the scene in the middle of the night and appeared visibly affected. "Someone just started to randomly stab individuals out of nowhere," Reul stated. "We in North Rhine-Westphalia are deeply shocked and mourning together."
Mayor of Solingen, Tim Kurzbach, shared his dismay at the events on Facebook. "The events in Solingen have left me in shock," Kurzbach wrote.
NRW Minister President Hendrik Wüst expressed his sentiments on the incident on social media: "A senseless and brutal act of violence has struck our country at its core."
Veronica Ferres, an actress born in Solingen, showed her sympathy on Instagram: "Praying for my family, friends, and all injured victims."
Solingen officially ended its anniversary celebrations following the incident. Solingen's 650th anniversary commemorative festivities, scheduled from Friday to Sunday, were initially set to take place. However, after the attack resulted in three fatalities and multiple severe injuries, Solingen called off the entire festival celebrating its 650th anniversary and cancelled all planned events for Saturday and Sunday.
Despite the ongoing investigation, no other individuals have been identified as being involved in the incident beyond the primary suspect. The public is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.
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