Solingen: Stabbing attack in Germany leaves three dead

CNN
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German police tell CNN a search is underway after three people were killed and four others seriously injured in a stabbing attack at a festival in the western German city of Solingen.

The suspect is on the run, German police said at a press conference. Special forces have been deployed in the ongoing search operation, police added.

The attack took place in a square during the “Festival of Diversity” on Friday, a three-day event marking the city’s 650th anniversary. Police say the attack happened near the stage during a musical performance at the festival.

Herbert Reul, the interior minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, also expressed his shock in a televised statement, adding: “None of us knows why this happened. I cannot say anything about the motive or the person.”

During a press conference, a police spokesman said that “their current assessment is that this was a deliberate attack.” But when asked by reporters if it was a terrorist attack, the spokesman cautioned: “That would be speculation. I can’t say that at the moment.”

Pictures and footage from the scene showed a number of ambulances and police officers, as well as a helicopter flying overhead.

The spokesman added that the police forces are using all available resources, including personnel and vehicles, and a large-scale manhunt is underway.

“This evening, all of us in Solingen are shocked, horrified and deeply saddened,” Solingen Mayor Tim Kurzbach wrote on the city’s Facebook page.

“We all wanted to celebrate our city’s anniversary together and now we have to mourn the dead and wounded.”

The mayor offered his prayers to the victims who are fighting for their lives and thanked the rescue and security personnel for their assistance. He said: “I ask you, if you believe, to pray with me, and if you do not believe, to wish with me.”

According to the festival’s website, Friday marked the start of a three-day festival of diversity, which includes music, food, performances and family-friendly entertainment.

The Bergisch Symphony Orchestra, the joint orchestra of the cities of Solingen and Remscheid, was scheduled to play on the main stage on Friday.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

This report was prepared by CNN’s Melissa Gray.