Photo: GERD EGGENBERGER / AFP / Getty Images
In a tragic incident on Saturday (February 15), a 23-year-old man randomly stabbed five people in Villach, southern Austria, resulting in the death of a 14-year-old boy. The suspect, a Syrian national with legal residence in Austria, was detained by police. The attack left two victims seriously injured and two with minor injuries, all of whom were men.
Police spokesperson Rainer Dionisio stated that the motive for the attack remains unclear, and authorities are investigating the suspect's background. A 42-year-old food delivery worker witnessed the attack and intervened, helping to prevent further harm.
Peter Kaiser, the governor of Carinthia, expressed his condolences to the victim's family, emphasizing the need for respect for the law and local values. Erwin Angerer, a lawmaker from the far-right Freedom Party, criticized Austria's asylum policy, linking it to the incident.
Austria's Interior Minister Gerhard Karner is expected to visit Villach on Sunday to address the situation. Police continue to search for additional suspects and investigate any potential connections between the attacker and the victims.