The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for a knife attack in Solingen, Germany that killed three people and wounded eight. Police detained a teenager possibly connected to the attack, but the perpetrator remained at large. The militant group stated the attacker was a “soldier of the Islamic State” seeking revenge for Muslims in Palestine. Authorities were conducting a manhunt and investigating whether the detained teenager was linked to the assailant.
The attack occurred during a festival in Solingen, with authorities treating it as a possible terrorist incident due to the lack of any other known motive. Chancellor Olaf Scholz called for the perpetrator to be swiftly caught and punished. The German government had recently discussed toughening rules on knives carried in public following previous incidents involving stabbings.
Fatal stabbings and shootings are uncommon in Germany. In response to the attack, authorities cancelled the remaining events of the festival and heightened security. Solingen, known for its knife manufacturing industry, was in shock and mourning following the tragic event. North Rhine-Westphalia’s interior minister labeled the attack as targeted but did not speculate on the motive. The community expressed condolences and placed candles and flowers at the scene. The incident highlighted the ongoing threat of terrorism and the need for increased security measures.
Photo credit
www.usatoday.com