Austrian authorities have reported that a man attacked six passersby with a knife in broad daylight, resulting in the death of a 14-year-old boy and injuries to five others. Authorities believe the motive behind the attack was "Islamic terrorism," indicating a potential act of extremism.
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02-24, 2025The suspect, a 23-year-old Syrian man, was arrested after the attack in the southern city of Villach on Saturday. Interior Minister Gerhard Karner stated on Sunday that he was "outraged that an Islamist attacker indiscriminately stabbed innocent people in this city." Karner told reporters in Villach that the attacker had connections to the Islamic State group and had become radicalized online in a short period of time, emphasizing the speed of online radicalization.
Governor Peter Kaiser thanked a 42-year-old man, also a Syrian national working for a food delivery company, who drove his car towards the suspect, helping to prevent the situation from escalating further. "This shows that the evil of terrorism and the goodness of humanity can be closely linked within the same nationality," he said, highlighting the complex nature of human behavior.
This marks the second deadly jihadist attack in Austria in recent years. In November 2020, a man who had tried to join the Islamic State group carried out an attack in Vienna, armed with an automatic rifle and a fake bomb vest, killing four people before being shot dead by police. Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen called the attack "shocking." He posted on X, saying, "No words can take away the pain, the horror, and the fear. My thoughts are with the families of the dead and with the injured," expressing his condolences and solidarity.
The Free Syrian Community in Austria released a statement on Facebook, distancing itself from the attack and expressing its deepest condolences to the victims' families. "We all had to flee Syria, our homeland, because we were no longer safe there – no one leaves their country voluntarily. We are grateful to have found shelter and protection in Austria," the association said, emphasizing their appreciation for the safety they found in Austria. "Finally, we want to emphasize: Anyone who creates conflict and disrupts social peace cannot represent those Syrians who seek and receive protection here," the statement concluded, condemning the attacker's actions.
Villach, a popular tourist destination near the borders of Italy and Slovenia, is known for its relaxed atmosphere, blending Mediterranean and Alpine traditions. The city hosts a carnival parade every March, and a Saturday event was canceled following the attack. The Austrian Interior Ministry has launched a platform for witnesses to upload videos or photos related to the attack. Local authorities said a crisis response team will be available to support students when schools reopen on Monday, ensuring the well-being of the community.
Far-right leader Herbert Kickl wrote on X that he was "shocked by the terrorist act in Villach" and called for a crackdown on asylum. "At the same time, I am filled with anger – anger at the politicians who have allowed stabbing, rape, gang warfare and other serious crimes to become commonplace in Austria. This is a system failure of the first order, for which a young man from Villach now had to pay with his life," Kickl said, blaming current policies for the incident. "From Austria to the EU – the wrong rules are everywhere. No one is allowed to challenge them, everything is declared sacrosanct," he added, noting that his party had already outlined in its election program what he considers necessary modifications to immigration law.
Conservative leader Christian Stocker stated on X that the attacker "must be brought to justice and punished with the full force of the law." "We all want to live in a safe Austria, and that means that political measures are needed to avoid such acts of terror in the future," he said, advocating for preventative measures. Social Democratic leader Andreas Babler said that "crimes like this should simply not happen in our society," expressing his shock and concern.
