Three killed, four injured in knife attack in Germany

German Police said that three people have been killed and four seriously injured in a knife attack in the Western German city of Solingen.

According to the Police, the attacker fled the scene and they’re searching for an “unknown” suspect

Celebrations were under way to mark the 650th anniversary of the city’s foundation when the attack happened

Local mayor Tim Kurzbach says those who were at the event are in a state of “shock, horror and great grief”

Bild website says a man was randomly stabbing passers-by during the festival
Live coverage of Solingen knife attack

The city authorities asked people to leave the Fronhof market area and pPolice are imposing security cordons, following the attack at about 21:45 local time (20:45 BST).

Emergency crews at the scene are now treating the injured, media reports say.

Philipp Müller, one of the festival organisers, said the emergency crews were fighting for the lives of nine people, the Solinger Tageblatt Newspaper reports.

“People are shocked, but left the square peacefully,” Müller said.

Eyewitness Lars Breitzke told the Newspaper that he knew something was wrong when he saw a singer on stage with a strange expression on their face.

“And then a person fell over just a metre away from me,” he said.

In a Facebook statement, Solingen Mayor Tim Kurzbach said: “Tonight all of us in Solingen are in shock, horror and great sadness. We all wanted to celebrate our city anniversary together and now we have to mourn the dead and injured.

“It breaks my heart that an attack has happened in our city. I have tears in my eyes when I think of those we’ve lost. I pray for all those still fighting for their lives. Also my greatest sympathy for all those who had to experience this, these images must have been horrific.”