One person has been arrested in connection with a knife attack in Germany in which three people were killed and five seriously injured.
The incident was preceded by a “large-scale” night-time manhunt in the area around the city of Solingen, in which several police forces were involved.
The police were alerted by witnesses shortly after 9:30 p.m. local time on Friday. to reports of several injuries in a central square, the Fronhof, during a festival.
Memorial plaques are left at the crime scene. Image: AP
On Saturday afternoon, officials announced that they had arrested one person and that they were investigating whether there was a connection to the attack.
In addition, searches were underway at various locations, it was said. “The investigations and search for possible additional perpetrators and causes of the crime are in full swing.”
The police had previously issued a warning and urged the public to remain vigilant, although well-wishers had already begun laying flowers at the scene of the accident.
DJ and music producer Topic, who performed at the festival, said he was on stage and asked to continue the performance “to avoid mass panic” when the incident occurred.
Solingen has about 160,000 inhabitants and is located near the larger city of Düsseldorf and GermanyBorder with the Netherlands.
Police believe the stabbings were carried out by a lone perpetrator. Information about the identity of the victims has not yet been released.
The region’s top security official, Herbert Reul, who visited the scene in the early hours of Saturday, told reporters it was a targeted attack on human life but declined to speculate on the motive.
The festival of diversity to mark the city’s 650th anniversary began on Friday and was scheduled to continue over the weekend. Attractions such as live music, cabaret and acrobatics were to be offered on several stages in central streets. The festival has now been cancelled.
Stay up to date with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
Tap here
This breaking news story will be updated and further details will be released shortly.
Please refresh the page for the full version.
You can receive breaking news on your smartphone or tablet via the Sky News AppYou can also follow @SkyNews on X or subscribe to our YouTube channel to stay up to date with the latest news.
