Germany Solingen stabbings: what we know so far

📌 A stabbing attack occurred at the “Festival of Diversity” in Solingen, Germany, resulting in the deaths of three people, including a woman and two men, and serious injuries to at least eight others.

📌Witnesses reported to the police shortly after 9:30 pm on Friday night that an unidentified attacker had injured several people with a knife in the city’s central square, the Fronhof, The Guardian reported.

📌Police are continuing their search for the attacker, who fled the scene, and have deployed special units to find the perpetrator, believed to be a lone assailant.

📌Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of a terrorist motive, and investigations are ongoing to determine the cause behind the attack.

📌A 15-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of knowing about the planned attack but failing to report it; he is not believed to be the attacker, as per news agency Associated Press.

📌The police have launched an extensive investigation, questioning victims and witnesses, and have set up an online portal for the public to submit any relevant information or footage.

📌 The “Festival of Diversity,” which was celebrating Solingen’s 650th anniversary, has been cancelled for the remaining days following the tragedy.

📌Solingen’s mayor, Tim Kurzbach, expressed deep sorrow and grief, acknowledging the impact the attack has had on the community, AP reported.

📌Germany’s Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, under pressure to combat knife violence, expressed shock at the Solingen attack, offering his condolences and wishing the injured a speedy recovery. He called for the swift capture and full prosecution of the attacker in a post on X.

📌Germany has seen a string of knife attacks over the past year. Earlier this month, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser vowed to address the issue by reforming weapons laws to combat knife crime.