A 23-year-old man carried out a stabbing attack in southern Austria on Saturday, killing a 14-year-old and injuring four others in what authorities described as a random act of violence.
The attack occurred in the city of Villach, where police quickly detained the suspect, a Syrian national with legal residency in Austria. All five victims were male, with two suffering serious injuries and two sustaining minor wounds, police reported.
Authorities have yet to determine a clear motive for the attack. According to AP a police spokesperson stated that investigators are examining the suspect’s personal history but cautioned that it may take time to gather reliable information.
A 42-year-old food delivery worker witnessed the attack from his car, and started driving toward the suspect to prevent further harm. Dionisio credited the man’s quick response with helping to stop the situation from escalating further.
Peter Kaiser, governor of the Carinthia province, expressed his condolences to the family of the 14-year-old victim, condemning the attack and calling for strong consequences. “This outrageous atrocity must be met with harsh consequences. Those who live in Carinthia, in Austria, must respect our laws and values,” Kaiser said.
The attack has reignited debates about Austria’s immigration and asylum policies. Erwin Angerer, a lawmaker from the far-right Freedom Party, stated that his party has long warned about the risks associated with Austria’s asylum policies.
Interior Minister Gerhard Karner was expected to visit Villach on Sunday morning to assess the situation. Police are continuing their investigation, searching for potential accomplices and examining any possible connection between the suspect and the victims.
Austria has seen a significant decrease in asylum applications over the past two years. In 2024, approximately 24,941 people applied for asylum, down from around 59,000 in 2023 and over 100,000 in 2022. Syrians remain the largest group of asylum seekers, followed by Afghan nationals.
In December, Austria joined several other European nations in suspending asylum decisions for Syrian nationals due to the ongoing uncertainty in Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. The attack in Villach has intensified political discussions about immigration and security in Austria, with some calling for stricter measures.