Three people are reported to have died and nine more fighting for life after a frenzied attack at a festival in Germany.
Initial reports suggest three people were killed after being targeted in a random knife attack.
The violence unfolded at the Festival of Diversity in Solingen, a city around 25km east of Dusseldorf. The attack happened on a central square, the Fronhof.
Pictures and videos on social media show a huge police response with large parts of the city cordoned off.
The dpa news agency cited unidentified police sources as saying the weapon was believed to be a knife.
According to local outlet Solinger Tageblatt, one of the festival organisers, Philipp Müller, said on a stage that emergency workers were fighting for the lives of nine people.
Mr Müller said: “People are shocked, but left the square peacefully.”
The paper further reported that authorities called on people to leave downtown Solingen.
The German city was celebrating the 659th anniversary of its creation with a “Festival of Diversity.”
Approximately 80,000 people were expected to head to Solingen over the next three days.
Witnesses reported a man started stabbing passers-by at random during the celebrations.
Police have declared a major emergency and launched a manhunt as the suspected knifeman has reportedly escaped.
Authorities have cordoned off the area as organisers said the festival had been cancelled.
One witness told a local newspaper he saw someone collapse right next to him. When he turned around, he noticed several people on the ground surrounded by pools of blood.
Late Friday evening, Mayor Tim Kurzbach (SPD) spoke out on the tragic event on social media as he penned: “This evening we are all in shock, horror and great sadness in Solingen.
“We all wanted to celebrate our city’s anniversary together and now we have dead and injured people to mourn. It breaks my heart that there was an attack on our city. I have tears in my eyes when I think of those we have lost. I pray for all those who are still fighting for their lives.”
According to the festival’s website, Friday was the start of the three-day Festival of Diversity, which would include music, food, performances, and family-friendly entertainment.
Bergisch Symphony Orchestra, the shared orchestra for the cities of Solingen and Remscheid, was scheduled to play on the main stage on Friday.
