KNIFE RAMPAGE At least 3 killed in ‘terror attack’ at festival in Germany after suspect stabbed passersby in neck as cops hunt killer
AT LEAST three people have been killed in a "terror attack" at a festival in Germany after a suspect stabbed passersby at random
A manhunt has been launched following the horror rampage, which started around 9.45pm during the Festival of Diversity in Solingen, a few miles from Cologne and Düsseldorf.
A man is said to have knifed victims at random in the neck before fleeing, with several people understood to be seriously injured.
The Interior Ministry has confirmed at least three people have died and the perpetrator remains on the run.
Cops are said to be treating the incident as a terror incident, reports Bild
Nine people are fighting for their lives, according to Solinger Togeblatt.
The outlet's reporter Celine Derikartz described the atmosphere as "spooky".
She said a party atmosphere had turned to shock within minutes and she saw festivalgoers weeping.
The event is understood to have been halted around 10pm as attendees were told to leave the area.Dozens of emergency workers are at the scene, and the police have declared a major incident.
Photos show police with automatic guns, as well as forensics officers collecting evidence.
The celebrations were marking the city's 650th anniversary at the Fronhof, a busy shopping area where a stage was set up for live bands.
Philipp Müller, a festival organiser, appeared on stage during a performance by DJ Topic to announce the event had been cancelled.
He also reportedly said that nine people were fighting for their lives.
Müller is quoted as telling local media: "People left the square in shock, but peacefully."
Mayor Tim Kurzbach said in a Facebook post: "We in Solingen are all in shock.
"We all wanted to celebrate our city's anniversary together and now have dead and wounded to lament."
"It breaks my heart that an attack on our city happened," he added.
An area near the church square remains cordoned off and a 'situation centre' has been set up at the Café Kersting.
Videos posted on X show flashing blue lights and emergency vehicles.
Approximately 80,000 people were expected to head to Solingen over the next three days.
The festival was officially opened on Friday at around 7pm by Mr Kurzbach.
Presenter Panagiota Petridou, a city native, was supposed to host the evening.
Petridou was on site and is now safe, her management confirmed to RTL.
Germany's top security official, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, recently proposed toughening weapons laws to allow only knives with a blade measuring up to 6 centimeters (nearly 2.4 inches) to be carried in public, rather than the length of 12 centimeters (4.7 inches), which is allowed now.
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