Germany stabbing latest: Suspect detained after knife attack at Solingen festival leaves three dead

German police have detained a person in connection to the Solingen stabbing attack, Reuters have reported.

Police are currently investigating whether there is a connection with this person and the knide attack in the western German city late on Friday, they said today.

It is unclear whether the manhunt is ongoing.

Police are set to provide further update at a press conference later this afternoon.

Solingen Mayor Tim Kurzbach spoke to reporters in the heartbroken city this morning.

The people of Solingen are “full of shock and grief”, he said, adding that “our hearts were torn apart”.

“What happened yesterday in our city has hardly let any of us sleep.

“We are working all night, all the time, to organise everything imaginable. Nevertheless, this great pain remains,” he said.

Solingen authorities have set up emergency counselling services for those who have been affected by the attack – many of the victims have friends and family in the city.

“I continue to pray and hope that the relatives will find comfort. That the injured and wounded will recover. And I ask you to continue to hope and pray with us here in Solingen,” Mr Kurzbach added.

The attack took place in Solingen, a city in western of Germany with 160,000 residents, located near the bigger cities of Cologne and Duesseldorf.

The ‘Festival of Diversity’ to mark the city’s 650th anniversary began on Friday and was due to held until Sunday, with several stages in central streets offering attractions such as live music, cabaret and acrobatics.

The attack, at around 9.40pm on Friday, took place in the crowd in front of one stage. 

Friday’s knife attack comes after Germany’s interior minister previously called for tougher laws on carrying knives.

Nancy Faeser had recently proposed changing rules to only allow knives with a blade up to 6cm to be carried. Currently, knives up to 12cm long are permitted.

Following the attack, she said: “We are deeply shocked by the brutal attack on the city festival in Solingen.

“Our security authorities are doing everything they can to catch the perpetrator and establish the background to the attack.”

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said he had spoken to the mayor of Solingen on Saturday morning following the horrifying festival attack.

“The heinous act in Solingen shocks me and our country,” he said in a statement.

“We mourn those killed and worry about those injured and I wish them strength and a speedy recovery from all my heart.

“The perpetrator needs to be brought to justice. Let’s stand together – against hatred and violence.”

In a statement last night, Solingen’s mayor Tim-Oliver Kurzbach said the city was “in shock, horror and great sadness” at the attack.

“We all wanted to celebrate our city’s anniversary together and now we have to mourn the deaths and injuries,” he said.

“It breaks my heart that there was an attack on our city. I have tears in my eyes when I think of those we have lost. I pray for all those who are still fighting for their lives.

“I also have great sympathy with all the people who had to witness this; it must have been a terrible sight. I thank all the rescue and security forces for their efforts. I ask you, if you believe, to pray with me and if not, to hope with me.”

Locals are being urged to remain cautious as a manhunt for the Solingen knife attacker continues.

Roadblocks have been deployed as large numbers of offices comb the city for the assailant, who has been on the run since the mass stabbing unfolded at 9.40pm on Friday.

“People in the city centre should be careful,” a Düsseldorf police spokesman told German outlet Tagesschau.

“Anyone who sees a suspicious person should immediately call 110 and not speak to them.”

It’s feared the attacker deliberately aimed for victims’ throats in the mass stabbing, which killed three and injured eight.

One police spokesperson claimed the perpetrator had specifically targeted the throat area.

However a second spokesperson later declined to confirm or deny that detail to Reuters news agency.

More details about the atrocity are expected to be revealed at a news conference on Saturday afternoon.

• Three people have been killed and eight injured, including five seriously, in a mass stabbing at a festival in Solingen, west Germany
• Police are still hunting for the attacker following the horrific incident at around 9.40pm on Friday
• German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for the assailant to be captured quickly and face the full force of the law
• Officials are working to establish information about the attacker and their motive