Three dead and four seriously injured at diversity festival in Germany | Germany

Three people were killed and four seriously injured in an attack on a folk festival in the western German city of Solingen, German police said.

An earlier report by the German news agency dpa, citing unnamed police sources, said the murder weapon was probably a knife.

So far, no one has been arrested. Celebrations for the city's 650th anniversary began on Friday and were supposed to last until Sunday.

The Solinger Tageblatt reported that the authorities had asked people to leave Solingen city centre. One of the festival organisers, Philipp Müller, said on stage that rescue workers were fighting for the lives of nine people.

Solingen has about 160,000 inhabitants and is located near the major cities of Cologne and Düsseldorf.

Mayor Tim-Oliver Kurzbach said the city was “in shock, horror and great sadness.”

“We wanted to celebrate our city’s birthday together and now we have to mourn the dead and injured.

“It breaks my heart that our city was attacked. I have tears in my eyes when I think of the people we lost. I pray for all those who are still fighting for their lives.”

“I also feel great compassion for all the people who had to witness this; it must have been a terrible sight. I thank all the rescue and security forces for their efforts. I ask you, if you believe, to pray with me and if not, to hope with me.”