On Saturday, a 23-year-old man carried out a random stabbing attack in the city of Villach, southern Austria, leaving a 14-year-old victim dead and four others injured. The suspect, identified as a Syrian national with legal residence in Austria, was swiftly detained by the authorities.
The victims, all men, suffered varying degrees of injuries, with two in serious condition and two sustaining minor wounds. The motive behind the attack remains unknown, and the police are actively investigating the attacker's background to shed light on the incident.
One eyewitness, a 42-year-old man working for a food delivery company, intervened during the attack, helping to prevent further harm. The Governor of Carinthia, Peter Kaiser, expressed condolences to the family of the deceased teenager and emphasized the importance of upholding the law and societal values.
Political figures in Austria have weighed in on the incident, with Erwin Angerer from the Freedom Party attributing the attack to what he described as a 'disastrous asylum policy.' Interior Minister Gerhard Karner is set to visit Villach to assess the situation.
Authorities are exploring the possibility of additional suspects and any potential connections between the attacker and the victims. The incident comes against the backdrop of Austria's evolving asylum landscape, with a significant decrease in asylum applications over the past two years.
In 2024, 24,941 foreigners sought asylum in Austria, with Syrians comprising the largest group of applicants, followed by individuals from Afghanistan. Concerns over the political situation in Syria have led several European countries, including Austria, to suspend asylum decisions for Syrian nationals.
