VILLACH, Austria — The southern Austrian city of Villach is reeling following a brutal incident in which a man attacked six individuals in broad daylight, resulting in the death of a 14-year-old boy and injuring five more. Local authorities are currently investigating the situation, and the issue of migration has emerged as a point of focus.
The attack took place in a city with a population of approximately 60,000, prompting residents to honor the victim by placing candles at the scene. On Sunday morning, a group of friends who knew the boy congregated to pay tribute, lighting candles while grappling with their grief, as reported by local media.
The assailant, a 23-year-old of Syrian descent who holds a residency permit in Austria, was apprehended shortly after the attack. A 42-year-old Syrian man, employed by a food delivery service, witnessed the horrific event from his vehicle. He intervened by driving towards the suspect, helping to quell the situation from escalating further, as stated by police spokesperson Rainer Dionisio during an interview with an Austrian broadcaster.
Austria’s President Alexander Van der Bellen condemned the incident, describing it as “horrific.” In a post on social media platform X, he expressed his sorrow, stating, “No words can undo the suffering, the horror, the fear. My thoughts are with the family of the deceased victim and the injured.”
The Free Syrian Community of Austria publicly disassociated itself from the perpetrator’s actions through a statement on Facebook. They expressed condolences to the victims’ families and emphasized that their community has fled Syria seeking safety, highlighting that no one leaves their homeland willingly. They expressed gratitude for the refuge they found in Austria and condemned any actions that disrupt societal harmony, stating, “Anyone who causes strife and disturbs the peace of society does not represent the Syrians who have sought and received protection here.”
According to Dionisio, the police are still determining the motive behind the attack and are investigating the suspect’s history. In light of this incident, Dances and festivals in the city, known for its peaceful ambiance blending Mediterranean and Alpine influences, are seeing changes; a carnival event set for Saturday was canceled due to the attack.
The Austrian Ministry of Interior has launched a platform for witnesses to share videos and photos regarding the incident. Interior Minister Gerhard Karner is set to visit Villach for a press briefing, and local officials have organized a crisis response team to support students when schools resume on Monday.
The victims, all males, suffered varying degrees of injury, with two classified as seriously injured while another two sustained lesser injuries, reports indicate. Later updates revealed that a fifth individual was also hurt during the attack.
Peter Kaiser, the governor of Carinthia Province, sent his condolences to the family of the deceased, declaring that such a heinous act warrants severe repercussions. He stated, “This outrageous atrocity must be met with harsh consequences. I have always said with clarity and unambiguously: Those who live in Carinthia, in Austria, have to respect the law and adjust to our rules and values.”
The incident has ignited calls for tighter migration regulations. Far-right politician Herbert Kickl expressed his outrage on X, stating, “I am appalled by the horrific act in Villach,” and he urged for a stricter enforcement of asylum policies. He expressed frustration at politicians, claiming they have failed to effectively address a rise in violence, leading to tragic outcomes such as this.
Kickl criticized current immigration laws across Austria and the EU, stating, “From Austria to the EU — the wrong rules are in force everywhere. Nobody is allowed to challenge them, everything is declared sacrosanct.” He emphasized his party’s proposed changes to immigration policy outlined in their election platform.
Conservative party leader Christian Stocker echoed the sentiment for justice, asserting that the assailant “must be brought to justice and be punished with the full force of the law.” He added that ensuring the safety of the public is paramount, necessitating decisive political actions to prevent future atrocities.
In response to the broader implications of the attack, Social Democratic leader Andreas Babler remarked that incidents of such a nature “simply should not happen in our society,” reflecting the consensus that urgent measures are needed to safeguard the community.
