Three killed in Germany stabbing, police search for assailant
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The investigation is ongoing and details are yet to be provided concerning the motive behind the attack
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Police and ambulances stand near the scene where several people died and others were injured in an attack in Solingen, western Germany on August 23, 2024. (AFP)
German police are still searching for an unknown assailant hours after he killed three people and injured others in a stabbing attack at a festival in the western city of Solingen.
Eight people were wounded, with five sustaining serious injuries, according to a police statement released early Saturday.
"Both victims and witnesses are currently being questioned," the police said, adding that they "are currently searching for the perpetrator with a large team."
The attack occurred at around 9:40 pm (19:40 GMT) on Friday when the assailant attacked several people with a knife, specifically aiming for their throats, the police reported. However, they could not provide additional details or the motive behind the incident.
"Our security authorities are doing everything they can to catch the perpetrator and investigate the background of the attack," German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said on X.
Unsere Sicherheitsbehörden tun alles, um den Täter zu fassen und die Hintergründe des Anschlags zu ermitteln. Die Polizei NRW hat dabei jede Unterstützung des Bundes. Ich bin dazu mit NRW-Innenminister Herbert Reul und unseren Sicherheitsbehörden im laufenden Kontakt. (2/2)
— Nancy Faeser (@NancyFaeser) August 24, 2024
The attack took place during a festival at the Fronhof market square, celebrating the city's 650th anniversary.
German authorities have canceled the remainder of the weekend event.
Two US servicemen arrested in Germany after fatal stabbing incident
Stabbings and shooting attacks are not a common occurrence in Germany. The most recent attack took place in August 2023 when two US servicemen were apprehended by German police on suspicion of fatally stabbing a local man in an incident that unfolded during a fight at a funfair in the western town of Wittlich, Anadalu Agency reported citing German authorities.
According to a statement released by the Trier Criminal Investigation Department, the altercation occurred at the local funfair, resulting in the tragic death of a 28-year-old man. The two US servicemen were part of a group of four present at the funfair during the incident. After the stabbing occurred, all four individuals fled the scene, prompting a swift response from law enforcement officials.
German police noted on their official website that the suspicions against the two apprehended suspects have been substantiated and that the investigation is ongoing.
In accordance with a NATO statute, the case has been handed over to US prosecutors, who will be handling it in collaboration with the Office of Special Investigations at the nearby US Airbase Spangdahlem, which is near the town of Wittlich.
The arrested servicemen were turned over to US authorities on Sunday at noon. Further details pertaining to the case have not yet been disclosed.
