Multiple people killed and several more injured in mass stabbing attack in Germany

Multiple people have been killed and several more have been left injured after a mass stabbing attack in Germany.

A man stabbed passers-by attending a city festival in Solingen at around 9.45pm.

The attack took place at random and witnesses said the perpetrator was still at large.

At least nine people were stabbed, with three killed so far.

Violence erupted at the Festival of Diversity in Solingen, some 25 kilometres from Dusseldorf.

The state of North Rhine-Westphalia is now on high alert, with large parts of Solingen cordoned off.

Local police declared a major emergency and launched a manhunt for the suspected knifeman.

The German city was celebrating the 659th anniversary of its creation with a “Festival of Diversity”.

Approximately 80,000 people were expected to head to Solingen over the next three days.