MUNICH — At least three people are dead and four others were injured in a knife attack Friday in the western German city of Solingen, where a celebration of the city’s anniversary had been taking place, the mayor and a police spokesperson said.
“This evening we are all in shock, horror and great sadness in Solingen. We all wanted to celebrate our city’s anniversary together and now we have to mourn dead and injured people,” Mayor Tim Kurzbach said in a statement.
“It breaks my heart that there was an attack on our city. I have tears in my eyes when I think of those we lost. I pray for everyone who is still fighting for their lives,” he said.
Police believe the attacker used a knife, and that person remained at large, a police spokesman in Dusseldorf, which is nearby, said. Four people were seriously injured, the police official said.
The attack happened Friday night local time at a celebration for the city’s 650th anniversary. The “Festival of Diversity” began Friday and was to run through Sunday.
There is a large presence of police searching for the attacker, the police spokesperson said.
“I also have great sympathy for all the people who had to witness this; it must have been terrible images. I thank all the rescue and security forces for their efforts,” Kurzbach said. “I ask you, if you believe, to pray with me and if not, then to hope with me.”
Hendrik Wüst, the minister-president of North Rhine-Westphalia, where Solingen is located, also expressed his shock and said the state is with the people of the city and the victims.
Solingen is a city of around 150,000 around 16 miles northeast of Cologne.
