Worldwide sympathy

Wave of sympathy after rampage in Villach

The day after the rampage, Villach is a reminder of what happened on Saturday afternoon.

(Bild: Evelyn Hronek)

After the shock comes the grief: the brutal knife attack in the center of Villach, in which a 14-year-old was torn from his life, leaves the whole of Carinthia affected. A wave of sympathy rolls through the country.

On Sunday morning, the Drau town in Carinthia seems deserted. The gray cloud cover is not the only reason for the gloomy mood; the shock is still deep in the bones of the people of Villach. A few walkers stop in front of the sea of candles where yesterday a 23-year-old Syrian asylum seeker stabbed people indiscriminately.

Three victims are in intensive care
Among the victims were four Austrians, one Iraqi citizen, the nationality of the sixth victim is not yet known. Three of them currently require intensive medical care. According to the police, one of the victims was stable. Two other people were slightly injured in the attack. 

On the day after the rampage, candles serve as a reminder of what happened on Saturday afternoon.

(Bild: Jennifer Kapellari)

"Villach mourns" the 14-year-old and the other victims of the rampage.

(Bild: Evelyn Hronek)

Seven minutes. That's how long the operation in Villach city center lasted, according to the police. Seven minutes that cost the life of a 14-year-old. And five people were injured, some of them seriously. The Villach-Hauptplatz police station is right next to the scene of the crime, about a minute's walk away.

Syrian community distances itself
"We all had to flee Syria, our homeland, because we were no longer safe there. We are grateful to have found asylum and protection in Austria," wrote the "Free Syrian Community of Austria" in a statement on Facebook, sharply distancing itself from the Syrian perpetrator: "Anyone who causes strife and disturbs the peace of society does not represent the Syrians who have sought and received protection here."

Week of mourning declared in Villach
After Villach's mayor had convened the crisis team on Saturday, the city leaders met at the scene of the crime on Sunday morning to lay a wreath in remembrance. Foreign media also arrived to report on the horrific act in Villach.

Governor Peter Kaiser was also on site: "There is no consolation for something like this. I appeal to you to stand together now!" In addition to a funeral procession, a week of mourning was also declared in Villach.

Deep shock also among the political leaders of the Drau town

(Bild: Evelyn Hronek)

(Bild: Evelyn Hronek)

Elon Musk commented on the rampage
What happened in Villach shocked the whole world. Even X-boss Elon Musk spoke out. He wrote briefly and concisely on the social media platform: "Terrible".

Solidarity with Austria
Slovenia is also deeply affected. Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob said that it was a sad day for Carinthia and the whole of Austria. His thoughts are with the injured and the bereaved. Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar emphasizes that there should be no place for violence in our society: "Slovenia is deeply saddened by the attack, we stand in solidarity with Austria." 

Islamist motive?
A 23-year-old Syrian attacked random passers-by with a knife on Saturday afternoon, fatally wounding a 14-year-old boy and injuring five men, some of them seriously. Eyewitnesses reported that the perpetrator was laughing. A courageous food delivery man, himself Syrian, stopped the attacker by driving his car at him to prevent further attacks. 

The police are currently investigating a possible Islamist motive and are looking for witnesses to the incident. There is talk of shouts of "Allahu Akbar", and the 23-year-old is said to have not only laughed when he was arrested, but also flashed his "tauhid" finger - a photo circulating on social media underlines this version.