A Syrian man has surrendered to German police, confessing to a deadly knife attack that left three people dead and eight others injured at a crowded street festival in Solingen, a city in western Germany.
The brutal attack occurred during the "Festival of Diversity," part of celebrations for Solingen's 650th anniversary, drawing thousands of attendees.
The suspect, a 26-year-old Syrian who arrived in Germany in December 2022 with protected immigration status, turned himself into authorities and admitted responsibility for the attack. Police arrested him at a nearby hostel for asylum seekers.
The victims, two men aged 56 and 67 and a 56-year-old woman, were all stabbed in the neck. Four of the injured remain in critical condition.
German authorities are investigating the attack's potential links to extremism, especially in light of ongoing tensions from the Gaza conflict.
The Islamic State (IS) group claimed responsibility, calling the attacker a "soldier of the Islamic State" and framing the attack as retaliation for the situation in Palestine. However, this claim has not been independently verified.
The incident has heightened concerns about extremist violence in Germany, especially following the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel, which put the country on high alert. Chancellor Olaf Scholz and other leaders expressed deep shock over the attack, urging unity and denouncing attempts to incite hatred.
In addition to the main suspect, a 15-year-old boy was also arrested for allegedly failing to report the crime after witnesses saw him discussing the attack.
The "Festival of Diversity" has been canceled as the city grapples with the aftermath of this tragic event.
