Germany attack: Man surrenders to police, admits to mass stabbings

According to authorities, a 26-year-old man has surrendered and admitted to carrying out a mass knife attack at a street festival in Germany. The incident took place on Sunday.

Prosecutors and Düsseldorf police have issued a joint statement stating that this individual's involvement is under intensive investigation.

An investigation into "participating in a terrorist organisation" has been opened by prosecutors.

A tragic incident unfolded in Solingen during a festival commemorating its 650-year history. Three lives were lost, and eight individuals sustained injuries, leaving the community in shock. Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed his deep sorrow, labelling the event as a "horrific act".

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the incident on Saturday, although they did not immediately present any evidence linking them to the attacker.

According to officials, the victims of the incident were two men, aged 56 and 67, as well as a 56-year-old woman. Four individuals remain in a severe condition among those who were injured. According to authorities, all of the victims sustained stab wounds to the neck.

"We have finally apprehended the individual we have been diligently searching for throughout the entire day," announced Herbert Reul, the interior minister of North Rhine-Westphalia state, during an interview with ARD public TV late on Saturday.

According to reports from Germany's Bild and Spiegel news websites, the suspect turned himself in while wearing dirty, blood-stained clothes.

According to police reports, the individual in question was identified as Syrian. German media outlets have stated that he entered Germany in December 2022, following his departure from the conflict-ridden nation.

According to a report by Bild, officers from the Special Task Force (SEK) conducted a raid on a refugee centre believed to be connected to the suspect, resulting in the apprehension of another individual at the location.

A 15-year-old boy, who is believed to have had prior knowledge of the attack, was also apprehended by the police.

According to Bild, the refugee centre is situated approximately 300m (984ft) away from Fronhof, which is Solingen's central market square where the stabbing incident occurred on Friday night.

Solingen, renowned for its thriving steel industry, has a population of approximately 160,000. It is situated approximately 25km (15 miles) east of Düsseldorf and is close to the bustling city.

Following the attack at approximately 22:00 local time (21:00 BST) on Friday, the city's authorities requested that people evacuate the Fronhof area.

The anticipated three-day festivities commemorating the city's anniversary, which had initially projected a turnout of approximately 75,000 individuals, were abruptly called off after the attack.

The Mayor of Solingen, Tim Kurzbach, expressed deep shock, horror, and profound sadness on behalf of the entire community.

"The occurrence of an attack in our city is truly disheartening." My heart aches as I reflect on the lives we've tragically lost.

"My thoughts are with those still battling for their lives." My deepest condolences to all those who had to endure this ordeal. The visuals must have been truly horrifying.

Flowers and candles continue to pour in at the site of the devastating attack, a sad reminder of the profound impact it has had on the nation.

During Saturday's matches, players from Germany's top Bundesliga football league donned black armbands.