A 16-year-old boy was left fighting for his life after a knife attack near a Christmas market in the western German town of Herford on Thursday evening.
The attack occurred at around 7:30 p.m. in a side street close to the market, according to regional media reports. The teenager sustained a serious stab wound to his back and was taken to hospital in critical condition.
The suspect fled the scene and was still at large late on Thursday, prompting an extensive police search. Officers deployed a large force, including sniffer dogs, as part of the manhunt.
While authorities have released few details about the individuals involved, initial findings suggest that the victim and the attacker were known to each other. Investigators have not yet disclosed a possible motive.
Witnesses told the Neue Westfälische newspaper that the injured boy sought help at a nearby church after the attack. He reportedly managed to move only a short distance before collapsing.
A homicide unit from the Bielefeld police headquarters has taken over the investigation. Police have not confirmed whether the Christmas market itself was directly affected by the incident.
In Germany, worries about crime have increased alongside illegal migration, especially after a series of terrorist incidents and knife attacks. During the Christmas season, these concerns are heightened at Christmas markets, which are seen as particularly vulnerable. Many local authorities say they lack the resources to provide the level of security needed to fully protect such events.
