On Saturday, a 23-year-old man launched a shocking stabbing spree in the Austrian city of Villach, injuring six bystanders, according to local police reports.

Tragically, a 14-year-old boy lost his life in the incident, while five others sustained injuries.

The alleged assailant, who is a Syrian asylum seeker holding a valid residence permit and without any prior criminal offenses, has been taken into custody, as confirmed by police spokesperson Rainer Dionisio to the French news agency AFP.

Details of the Incident

This violent event unfolded around 4 p.m. local time (1500 GMT) in central Villach, the capital city of Carinthia, Austria.

A food delivery driver witnessed the attack and bravely used his vehicle to strike the suspect, who then suffered minor injuries and was apprehended immediately following the assault.

Authorities stated that it remains uncertain whether the suspect acted independently, and they are actively investigating the possibility of additional offenders. The motives behind the attack have yet to be determined, and a thorough examination of the suspect’s background is underway.

“We need to wait for reliable information to emerge,” Dionisio commented.

Political Reactions and Calls for Action

In the aftermath of this tragic stabbing, Carinthia’s governor, Peter Kaiser from the Social Democrats, expressed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family of the young victim.

“This horrific act demands severe repercussions. I have always been clear: Those residing in Carinthia and Austria must honor our laws and embrace our values,” he emphasized.

Meanwhile, far-right leader Herbert Kickl, whose Freedom Party recently achieved success in the national elections, expressed his shock at the incident, labeling it a “system failure.” He called for stricter measures regarding asylum policies in his official statement.

Conservative leader of the Austrian People’s Party, Christian Stocker, called for the attacker to face the full extent of legal consequences on the social media platform X.

Andreas Babler, head of the Social Democrats, echoed this sentiment, urging that “the full force of the law” be applied.

This violent attack in Villach follows closely on the heels of a car-ramming incident in Munich, Germany, where a two-year-old girl and her mother tragically succumbed to injuries sustained during the attack.

Edited by: Rana Taha, Wesley Dockery