After a fatal knife attack in Villach: Bishop calls for prudence!

After a fatal knife attack in Villach: Bishop calls for prudence!

Villach, Österreich - in Villach, a city in Carinthia, a brutal knife attack shook the public. A 23-year-old Syrian citizen stabbed several passers-by on Saturday afternoon and killed a 14-year-old young person. Five other people were injured, two of them seriously. The incident occurred near the main square, where the perpetrator was arrested by the police a little later. As the ORF reported, a brave food deliverer, also from Syria, could possibly prevent worse by adding the attacker with his car. The motive behind this act of violence has so far remained unclear and is examined by the authorities while the Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner visited the city.

concern and appeals for prudence

The Carinthian Bishop Josef Marketz expressed his deep dismay about the cruel deed. In his first reactions, he said: "This terrible crime deeply shakes me and makes many people stunned and angry." He called on society to remain prudent and strengthen the cohesion, since the act of violence troubles many citizens and questions about security. The Catholic parish of St. Nikolai in Villach prayed in the services for the victims and asked for solidarity, as was stated in a message by telephone, such as kathpress.at reported.

In addition, Syrian communities were expressed in Austria, which are sharply distance from such violent acts. In a statement, they emphasized that nobody voluntarily leaves their home country and expressed their deepest condolences for the victims and their relatives. They pointed out that in the upcoming campaign time, some political forces want to try to keep political capital from this tragedy, and appealed to society to deal with each other openly and understanding. According to 5min.at , the importance of integration and security was put in the foreground to design a better society.