Germany: Knife Attack in Solingen, 3 Dead

Solingen Fronhof-Scene of the attack

This evening in the German city of Solingen, a man described as "Arab in appearance" went on a knife rampage in the city center as the city was celebrating its 650th anniversary. To date, three are dead, having been slashed in the throat, and several others are seriously injured.

Solinger Tageblatt

Coincidentally, Solingen has been known for centuries for the production of swords, knives, and other cutlery. It is also the birthplace of Nazi war criminal, Adolf Eichmann.

The below article from Bild is translated by Fousesquawk. A video with English subtitles is forthcoming. 

*Note: As this article was being translated, several updates were added and will likely continue to be added. In addition, the headline has been altered. Thus, there are likely to be discrepancies from this translation.

Knife rampage in Solingen

At least three people killed at City Festival

Several seriously injured. Perpetrator on the run

Solingen- Dead and injured at the City Festival! Around 9:45 pm, a man with a knife randomly stabbed passersby in Solingen . The perpetrator, according to witness statements, an Arab-looking man, is on the run.

According to initial information, there are reportedly three dead and four seriously injured. Dozens of rescue workers are busy (treating) the injured. The scene of the crime is the Fronhof, a lively square in the inner city, with a stage built for the occasion of the City Festival (and) live bands were playing.

Caption: The police have sounded a major alarm; the perpetrator is on the run.

Perpetrator deliberately stabbed the throats of his victims.

The man reportedly deliberately stabbed his victims in the throat with the knife. For that reason, the investigators are classifying the crime as a terror attack and no longer as a rampage.

The police have sounded a major rampage alarm, and a search for the stabber is underway. The City Festival was canceled and a police helicopter is circling. Heavily armed SEK units with about 40 special vehicles from all over North-Rhine Westphalia are in Solingen. Street intersections were closed, and residents were told to stay in their homes and avoid the city center.  A  temporary situation center was set up in a cafe.

Rescue workers fight to save the lives of the injured

According to a report from the Solinger Tageblatt (newspaper), Philipp Mueller, one of the co-organizers, stated from the stage that rescue workers were fighting to save the lives of 9 people. Thousands of visitors followed the requests to leave the square calmly and not to panic. "The people are shocked but peaceful on the square," Mueller informed the newspaper.

Lord Mayor, Tim Kurzbach (46 SPD party) writes on Facebook: "This evening, all of us in Solingen are in shock, fright, and great sadness. We wanted to celebrate our city anniversary together and now have deaths and injuries to mourn. It breaks my heart that an attack has come to our city. I have tears in my eyes when I think of those we have lost. I pray for all who are fighting for their lives."

It was supposed to last until Sunday. In the announcement, it states: "Central Solingen will be a big party mile. From Neumarkt past Fronhof to Muhlenplatz (square) there will be celebrations.  In the streets, visitors expect a program with music, cabaret, acrobatics, handicrafts, entertainment for children, and much more. Over three days, 80,000 visitors are expected.

*Update: Here is the BILD video with English subtitles added. Hat tip Gates of Vienna and Vlad Tepes for subtitling. Translation by Fousesquawk.

*Update: The Solinger Tageblatt is reporting that a 15-year-old is in custody and is charged, at this point, for failing to report a planned crime. It appears that a witness overheard a conversation by the suspect and another person discussing details connected to the crime-before it happened. Police consider the actual stabber to still be at large and are not ruling out terror as a motive.