(Berlin) Several people were killed or injured in a knife attack at an open-air community festival in Solingen, western Germany, on Friday, German media reported.
According to the daily newspaper Imageat least three people were killed and several injured. Contacted by AFP, local police declined to comment immediately.
The daily newspaper’s website Solinger Tageblattciting firefighters, also reported three dead and seven injured. The newspaper cited eyewitnesses as reporting that an alleged perpetrator had fled.
According to the same press sources, the attack occurred during the festivities celebrating the 650the anniversary of the city of Solingen.
A major police operation was underway overnight, with television footage from the scene showing numerous police vehicles and an area cordoned off and secured by officers and protective screens.
The area concerned is located in the centre of this city of more than 150,000 inhabitants, situated in the Ruhr basin, not far from Düsseldorf and north of Cologne.
According to the Solinger Tageblattauthorities asked visitors to leave the party grounds and evacuate the city centre where sirens were sounding.
The festival began on Friday and was scheduled to run through Sunday.