Tragic Knife Attack At Solingen Festival in Germany Kills Three, Injures Four
Aug 24, 2024
A stabbing attack at a festival in Solingen, Germany. At least three people are dead and four others are seriously injured. The attacker is still at large, causing shock and sorrow across the city.
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A festive evening in Solingen, Germany, turned into a nightmare on Friday night. A sudden stabbing attack left three people dead and four others seriously hurt. The attack happened around 10 p.m., during a celebration for the city’s 650th birthday.
An unknown man, armed with a knife, attacked festival-goers at the Fronhof, a busy market square. Live music filled the air just moments before the chaos. The attacker seemed to strike at random, causing panic among the crowd.
[Police and ambulances are positioned near the scene of a stabbing attack in Solingen, Germany, on August 23, 2024. Gianni Gattus/picture alliance via Getty Images]
Witnesses alerted police shortly after 9:30 p.m. local time about an unknown man who stabbed several people at the Fronhof, a central square.
Police reported that the attacker fled the scene and that they have very little information on him. They believe the stabbings were done by a lone assailant.
Festival Cancelled Immediately
The Solinger Tageblatt newspaper reported that one of the festival co-organizers came on stage to announce the event's cancellation. The crowd was then asked to leave the city center.
After the announcement, thousands of attendees quickly cleared the area. A journalist on the scene described the atmosphere as “eerie.”
“People left in shock, but calmly,” said Philipp Mueller, one of the organizers, to the newspaper.
The city center is now closed off as police search for the attacker. The community is in shock, struggling to understand what happened.
'Brutal and Senseless'
Kurzbach thanked emergency services for their quick response and offered his sympathy to those who saw the attack.
[Forensic police inspect the scene on August 24, 2024, where a knife attack killed three and injured several in Solingen, Germany, on August 23, 2024, during the city’s 650th anniversary. (Photo by INA FASSBENDER / AFP) / ALTERNATE CROP]
"It breaks my heart that such violence happened in our city. I am deeply saddened by the loss. My thoughts are with those still fighting for their lives," he said.
Hendrik Wuest, the premier of North Rhine-Westphalia, also shared his feelings of shock and sadness on social media.
"This attack is a shocking example of brutal and pointless violence," he stated. "North Rhine-Westphalia stands with Solingen, especially with the victims and their families."
Solingen, with a population of about 150,000, is situated between Düsseldorf and Cologne.
The city was bustling with people for the first day of the three-day "Festival of Diversity." The event was planned to include music, street performances, variety shows, and comedy. Up to 75,000 people were expected to attend over the weekend.
Fatal stabbings are rare in Germany, making this attack even more shocking. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward. The hunt for the attacker continues as the city of Solingen grapples with this tragedy.
