Woman commits stabbing in German bus

Police warned citizens not to describe the incident as a “terrorist attack.”

Five people were injured in a knife attack on a bus in the western German city of Siegen, exactly one week after a fatal stabbing in another western city, Solingen.

The incident occurred at around 7:40 p.m. on a bus carrying around 40 passengers to a city festival. The perpetrator, a 32-year-old German citizen, stabbed several people before she was overpowered and arrested.

At least five people were injured, three of them “critical” and a “seriously,” according to the authorities.

The motive for the attack remains unclear, and police explicitly warned the public “not to spread false information” and in particular make no reference to a “Terrorist attack.” According to Bild sources, the attacker may have suffered from psychological problems or was under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

This incident followed a stabbing at a diversity festival in Solingen last week in which three people were killed and eight others injured. Police arrested a 26-year-old Syrian man in connection with the attack, for which the Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS) reportedly claimed responsibility without providing evidence.

The attack prompted German authorities to take action against knife crime and illegal immigration. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser announced on Friday that police and state authorities would be given more powers to enforce new regulations. Berlin also lifted its ban on deportations to countries classified as “unsure,” This resulted in the deportation of 28 Afghan nationals – the first such act since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.

The city of Siegen is celebrating its 800th birthday this weekend. Organizers expressed concerns about security after the incident in Solingen, but decided to “Not cancelling the city festival is also a sign of democracy and freedom.”