Thuringian Park in Erfurt: Injured in Knife Fight in Shopping Center

Knife-wielding man injures woman in Erfurt shopping center

Erfurt - A 34-year-old woman was injured in a knife attack in the "Thüringen Park" shopping center in Erfurt on Tuesday afternoon. According to police, the incident occurred around 4:30 p.m. in front of a clothing store on the ground floor. The alleged perpetrator is a 56-year-old man who is said to have stabbed the woman several times in the upper body with a knife.

Suspect arrested, motive unclear

The victim was taken to a hospital with serious injuries. The police were able to arrest the suspect shortly after the crime. The man is said to be from the Gotha district. The background to the crime is still unclear. The police have launched an investigation.

Knife attacks in Germany on the rise

Knife attacks have been on the rise in Germany in recent years. According to the Federal Criminal Police Office, the number of knife attacks rose from 4,654 in 2017 to 6,076 in 2021. Most of the victims are men. In 2021, there were 31 knife homicides in Germany.

Possible reasons for the increase in knife attacks

There are several possible reasons for the increase in knife attacks in Germany. Among other things, experts cite the following factors:

• Increased aggression and violence in society
• Easier access to knives
• Lack of conflict resolution skills
• Mental illness

The increase in knife attacks is a worrying development. It is important to address the causes of this violence and to take appropriate countermeasures.