Crime

Islamic State Claims Responsibility for Knife Attack in Germany’s Solingen Festival; Three Dead and Several Injured

Published

4 months ago

August 24, 2024

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for a horrific knife attack at a festival in Solingen, Germany, which resulted in the deaths of three people and injuries to eight others.

The attack, which occurred during the “Festival of Diversity” marking the 650th anniversary of Solingen, was described by the militant group as an act of retaliation for perceived injustices against Muslims in Palestine and elsewhere.

German police scour a western city for a knife attacker who killed 3 at a community festival

People in mourning standing close to the site of yesterday’s deadly stabbings that left three dead and eight injured on Aug. 24, 2024, in Solingen, Germany. Getty Images

Islamic State group claims responsibility for knife attack in Germany that killed 3

The attack occurred around 9:30 p.m. local time, near a stage where a musical act performed. Police Chief Markus Röhrl reported that multiple knives were discovered at the scene, and the attacker targeted victims’ necks specifically. The deceased include two men aged 67 and 56 and a 56-year-old woman. Among the eight injured, four are in critical condition and receiving hospital treatment.

Special police forces officers stand inside of a building, following an incident in which several individuals were killed after a man randomly stabbed passers-by with a knife at a city festival.

Special police forces officers stand inside a building following an incident in which several individuals were killed after a man randomly stabbed passers-by with a knife at a city festival. REUTERS

Authorities have arrested a 15-year-old in connection with the incident. However, they clarified that the teenager is not believed to be the attacker but is accused of failing to report the crime.

According to senior public prosecutor Markus Caspers, witnesses had reportedly seen the teen speaking with an unidentified person whose intentions matched those of the crime.

Police and deployed near the scene where people were killed and injured in an attack at a festival in Solingen.

Police were deployed near the scene where people were killed and injured in an attack at a festival in Solingen. AP

In response to the attack, festival organizers cancelled the remainder of the event. Solingen Mayor Tim Kurzbach expressed his devastation on Facebook, stating, “It breaks my heart that an attack on our city happened.” The mayor described the city’s reaction as one of shock and mourning.

The violence in Solingen follows less than a day after an antisemitic attack in southern France, where two cars were set ablaze outside a synagogue.