There was a knife attack in the Ruhr area. Four people were injured, some critically. At least one person is on the run.
According to the police, at least one suspect is on the run after the attack in a gym in downtown Duisburg. The police said on Tuesday evening that the person was being sought. At least three people were critically injured in the attack. The police wrote on Twitter: “Three of the victims are life-threatening, one victim is seriously injured.”
An arrest has not yet been made, said a spokesman for the Essen police of the German Press Agency. A “stabbing or cutting weapon” was used. The injured were taken to a hospital.
So far it is unclear whether it is one or more perpetrators. “Bild” reported on one or two perpetrators who are said to have attacked four other men with knives and brutally stabbed them. The police initially gave no details about the victims.
The first emergency calls were received by the Duisburg police around 5:40 p.m. According to information from “Bild”, the incident happened in the dressing room of the studio, which is located opposite the town hall.
Studio now secured
The studio was now secured, police said shortly after 8 p.m. In the late evening, witnesses who were training on site at the time of the crime were questioned. Other possible witnesses should report immediately.
According to a dpa reporter, heavily armed special police forces were on site. Several ambulances and emergency medics were also reportedly active at the scene. At times, a helicopter circled the city center.
The inner city area around Schwanenstrasse was closed. According to a “WDR” reporter, snipers had also been stationed on roofs in the city center. The police did not rule out an amok attack.
“Terrible”
The population was asked to avoid the area around the town hall in the city center. “We are on site with strong forces,” said a spokesman for the Essen police.
After the attack, the club operator also spoke up. “We very much regret the incident in our club in Duisburg and hope that the victims will recover quickly,” said John Reed Fitness in an email at the request of the German Press Agency on Tuesday evening. They support the police investigations in all possible places, it said.
“The safety and health of our members and our employees are our top priority. Our goal is for them to feel safe and in good hands in our studios.” The operator did not provide any further information about the incident.
Bundestag President Bärbel Bas, who represents a constituency in Duisburg, was dismayed by the attack. “Terrible,” wrote the SPD politician on Twitter on Tuesday evening. “My thoughts are with the injured. I hope that the emergency services will soon be able to clarify the threatening situation.”
