On August 30, 2024, at approximately 19:40 local time, a 32-year-old German woman carried out a knife attack on a bus in Siegen, Germany, injuring six people. The bus, carrying about 40 passengers, was en route to a city festival celebrating Siegen’s 800th anniversary. Of the six victims, three are in critical condition, while others have been treated and released from the hospital.The suspect, who is known to the police for previous drug-related offenses, was quickly apprehended. Authorities have emphasized that there is no evidence suggesting this was a terrorist attack. Reports indicate that the woman may have been suffering from mental health issues.This incident comes just a week after a similar attack in Solingen, where a 26-year-old Syrian man killed three people and injured eight others. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the Solingen attack, although German authorities are still investigating the credibility of this claim.In response to these events, Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government has announced new restrictions on carrying knives in public gatherings and on long-distance transportation. The incidents have also reignited debates about Germany’s migration and asylum policies. The government has begun to deport convicted criminals to Afghanistan for the first time since the Taliban regained power in 2021, as part of an agreement facilitated by Qatar.Despite the attack, Siegen’s city festival will continue as planned. Mayor Steffen Mues stated, ‘We will not let this incident ruin our celebration. We will take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of our guests’. The police have urged citizens not to spread false information on social media, particularly regarding any potential terrorist links.
Key points
- A 32-year-old German woman attacked passengers on a bus in Siegen, injuring six people.
- The suspect is known to police for drug-related offenses and may have mental health issues.
- The German government has announced new restrictions on carrying knives and changes to immigration policies in response to recent attacks.
- Siegen’s city festival will continue despite the attack, with increased security measures.
Contradictionsđź‘ľThere are slight discrepancies in the reported number of injured, with some sources stating five and others six.
The most recent reports confirm six injured.
