The search is on for the attacker who killed three people and seriously injured four others in a knife attack in the western German city of Solingen, police told CNN.
The attacker is absconding and police are treating the incident as a terrorist attack, a German police spokesman said. Police services are using all available resources, including personnel and vehicles, and a massive search is underway, the spokesman added.
The attack took place at the city's "Festival of Diversity", a three-day event marking the 650th anniversary of the city's founding. Images and footage from the scene showed several ambulances and police at the scene, as well as a helicopter flying overhead. "Tonight, all of us in Solingen are in shock, horror and great sadness," the city's mayor, Tim Kurtzbach, wrote on Solingen's Facebook page. "We all wanted to celebrate the anniversary of our city together, but now we have to mourn the dead and the injured."
The mayor offered his prayers to the victims who are fighting for their lives and thanked the rescue and security team for their help. "Please, if you believe, pray with me, and if not, hope with me," he said. According to the festival's website, Friday marked the beginning of the three-day "Festival of Diversity," which will include music, food, performances and family fun. /BGNES
