- Woman inflicts stab wounds on bus commuters, leaving three critically injured.
A bus trip in North Rhine-Westphalia's Siegen ended in a stabbing incident, leaving five individuals injured, three of whom critically. Law enforcement arrested a 32-year-old suspect in connection to the attack, assuring the public that no further threats exist at present. No evident indications of a terrorist motive were found.
The bus was fully loaded with approximately 40 passengers, traveling as a specialized line for transporting them to a city celebration in Siegen. The incident transpired around 7:40 PM, and numerous passengers reached out to the authorities. The Dortmund police subsequently detained the German suspect.
The perpetrator's motives and the specific sequence of events remained unclear in the initial stages. A police spokesperson stated, "We're collecting evidence at the crime scene and interviewing witnesses." According to Bild newspaper, there are hints that the alleged assailant may be struggling with mental health issues.
A previous incident in Solingen, occurring exactly a week prior, bore similarities. During that incident, a man fatally stabbed three individuals and injured eight others during a city festival. The prime suspect, a 26-year-old Syrian, is currently in custody. The federal prosecutor's office is investigating him for multiple charges, including murder and suspected involvement in the Islamic State (IS) terrorist organization.
Siegen-Wittgenstein district police issued a statement, "We urge citizens to refrain from disseminating false information via social media or other channels, and not to draw connections to a terror attack. Police have found no such evidence."
In light of the Solingen incident, organizers of the city celebration in Siegen reevaluated the existing security measures and deployment plan. Siegen Mayor Steffen Mues confirmed, "Cancellation of the city festival would be a setback for democracy and freedom," and accordingly, visitors are prohibited from carrying knives, as specified on the city festival's homepage.
The stabbing incident on the bus trip was deemed life-threatening due to the critical condition of three individuals. The investigation into the assailant's mental health issues may provide insights into the life-threatening attack.
