Germany stabbing updates: Manhunt underway for knife suspect in Solingen festival ‘terror attack’

  • Festival cancelled with 'ghostly' atmosphere in town

    Solingen, which has around 160,000 residents and is close to the larger towns of Cologne and Düsseldorf, was founded 650 years ago, and the three-day "Festival of Diversity" was organised to commemorate this milestone.

    It was anticipated that 80,000 people would attend the event, however it has now been cancelled.

    One local journalist described the city atmosphere as "ghostly" after the fatal attack last night.

    As the search for the suspect continues, most of the town's centre is cordoned off by the police.

    Police stand guard in the crime scene where at least 3 people were killed by a knife attack
    Police stand guard in the crime scene where at least 3 people were killed by a knife attackCredit: Getty
  • What do we know so far?

    An unknown man knifed victims at a festival before fleeing the scene on a Friday evening in Solingen, just 15 miles east of Düsseldorf.

    A woman and two men are said to have died from injuries with five more victims fighting for their life.

    The perpetrator reportedly attacked people in front of the stage where live bands were playing.

    Thousands of people gathered at the festival to celebrate diversity and the city's 650th anniversary.