CNN
—
After three people were killed and four seriously injured in a knife attack at a folk festival in the western German city of Solingen, a manhunt is currently underway for the perpetrators, police told CNN.
The suspect is on the run, the German police announced during a press conference. Special police forces have been deployed to actively search for him, the police added.
The attack occurred on Friday in a square during the “Festival of Diversity,” a three-day event marking the 650th anniversary of the city’s founding. Police said the attack occurred near the stage while a music group was performing at the festival.
Herbert Reul, North Rhine-Westphalia’s Interior Minister, also expressed his dismay in a televised statement: “None of us knows why this happened. I can’t say anything about the motive or the person.”
During a press conference, a police spokesman said that they “currently assume that this was a deliberate attack.” However, when asked by reporters whether it was a terrorist attack, the spokesman replied: “That would be pure speculation. I cannot say that at the moment.”
Images and footage from the scene showed several ambulances and police officers, as well as a helicopter flying overhead.
Police are using all available resources, including personnel and vehicles, and a large-scale manhunt is underway, the spokesman added.
“All of us in Solingen are experiencing shock, horror and great sadness this evening,” wrote Solingen’s mayor Tim Kurzbach on the city’s Facebook page.
“We wanted to celebrate our city’s birthday together and now we have to mourn the dead and injured.”
The mayor prayed for the victims fighting for their lives and thanked rescue and security forces for their help. “I ask you, if you believe, pray with me, and if not, hope with me,” he said.
According to the festival’s website, the three-day “Festival of Diversity,” which includes music, food, performances and family-friendly entertainment, began Friday.
On Friday, the Bergische Symphoniker, the joint orchestra of the cities of Solingen and Remscheid, were supposed to play on the main stage.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
Reporting by Melissa Gray of CNN.
