People were killed or injured in an attack on festivities marking the 650th anniversary of the city of Solingen in western Germany late Friday night, police said.
According to police sources, a knife was probably involved.
There are currently armed officers on the scene, with large areas of the city cordoned off and privacy fencing in place.
The incident took place on Fronhof, a market square in the city centre, where a stage had been set up for live music.
Thousands of people left the area after authorities urged residents to remain calm and go home, local newspaper Solinger Tageblatt reported.
The festival was temporarily suspended and sirens could be heard in the city centre, helicopters were overhead and ambulances were on site.
Philipp Müller, one of the co-organizers of the event, said on stage that according to the report, emergency workers were fighting to save the lives of nine people.
The event, a Festival of Diversity, started on Friday in honor of the 650th anniversary of the city of Solingen and was due to last until Sunday.
According to posters leading up to the event, the city centre would be transformed into a huge festival area, promising music, cabaret, acrobatics, arts and crafts, children’s entertainment and much more.
