- Passenger gets violent on bus, inflicts wounds with a knife.
Once more, multiple individuals have been harmed in knife assaults across Germany. Specifically, at least six people were harmed in the North Rhine-Westphalian city of Siegen when a woman attacked bus passengers with a knife. Three of these individuals experienced severe, possibly life-threatening injuries. In the aftermath of this incident, Interior Minister Herbert Reul (CDU) suggested enhancing security procedures at public events. Reul expressed interest in exploring the legal options for implementing bag checks at large events, stating, "I'm currently examining whether it's legally permissible to introduce bag checks at major events under the current legal climate."
Reul emphasized the distinction between the events in Siegen and those in Solingen, despite both involving knife attacks. He asserted that the Siegen incident involved a disturbed German woman wielding a knife indiscriminately, whereas the Solingen incident was an act of terrorism. The police will adjust their response strategies accordingly.
The assault occurred on a special bus preparing to transport over 40 passengers to a city festival. The attack transpired around 19:40. Several passengers notified authorities, and the suspect was apprehended shortly thereafter. The motives behind the attack and the exact sequence of events remained unclear initially. The assailant, a 32-year-old woman, had a history of interaction with law enforcement. Preliminary investigations suggested the presence of psychological issues. The festival continued as planned, complete with a church service on Saturday, without being cancelled.
A Westfalen-Süd public transport spokesperson told the "Siegener Zeitung" that the bus driver acted quickly, halting the bus following the initial commotion and opening all the doors, allowing passengers to exit the bus swiftly. The bus reportedly had children and young people aboard.
The Siegen incident recalled a similar assault that occurred exactly a week prior in Solingen. There, a man allegedly killed three individuals with a knife at a city festival and injured eight others. The primary suspect, a 26-year-old Syrian, is currently in custody. The Federal Prosecutor's Office is investigating him on charges of murder and suspected membership in the Islamic State (IS) terrorist organization.
Following the Solingen incident, the federal government agreed to strengthen weapon regulations, including further restrictions on knife usage in public spaces. This includes a prohibition on carrying knives during long-distance bus and train travel, at folk festivals, and at other large events. Additionally, a ban on switchblades is being considered, with potential exceptions for specific groups, such as hunters.
Reports of knife attacks in Germany have increased significantly over the past few years, as has the ensuing debate on this form of violence. In 2023, the police recorded 8,951 cases of serious bodily harm resulting from knife attacks, either to inflict harm or to make threats.
Similar incidents involving knives have occurred in other North Rhine-Westphalia cities. In Gelsenkirchen, an incident involving a stabbing occurred, followed by an argument between a 29-year-old man and an unknown individual. The suspected perpetrator fled the scene early in the morning. In Wuppertal, a man was severely injured as a result of a knife attack during an argument within a multi-family dwelling the previous day.
Similar incidents have transpired in other parts of Germany. In Berlin, two women were killed in knife attacks within a short time frame, both suspectedly by the same man. On Friday evening, a 28-year-old woman was stabbed to death in the Friedrichsfelde district – just days after the alleged murder of a 36-year-old woman by her ex-husband in Berlin-Zehlendorf. Another knife attack on a woman transpired in the Reinickendorf district, averting a worse outcome.
The aftermath of the Solingen incident sparked discussions on event security. In Siegen, the existing security plan and deployment strategy were thoroughly reviewed, as stated on the city festival's official website by the mayor. "Cancellation of the city festival is also a symbol of democracy and freedom." Siegen is celebrating its 800th anniversary.
The European Union expressed concern over the escalating knife attacks in Germany and discussed potential measures to enhance public safety. In a meeting, Interior Ministers from multiple EU countries discussed the possibility of sharing best practices and resources to address this issue.
Recognizing the global nature of violence, the European Union pledged to support Germany in its efforts to combat knife attacks, emphasizing the importance of cooperative initiatives to ensure public safety across member states.
