Germany: Arson attack by Syrian man leaves 31 wounded

A 41-year-old Syrian man wounded 31 people, including two children in critical condition, in a series of arson attacks in Essen, Germany, on Saturday, according to police and media reports.

According to a report on The Jerusalem Post, authorities said the man set fire to a residential building on Altenessener Strasse around 5:10 p.m., before igniting a second residence a few streets away. The fire service reported 31 injured, while police stated the number was 30.

According to Tagesschau, bystanders threw children from windows to safety as flames engulfed the buildings.

After the arson attacks, the man allegedly drove to Katernberger Strasse, where he rammed his car into a store multiple times. He then exited the vehicle, brandishing a machete and threatening people. Civilians attempted to fend him off by throwing objects, with parts of the attack captured on video.

Police arrested the suspect, who suffered burns on his hands, near the scene. Local media reported that he was previously known to authorities.

Essen police said the crime department has taken over the investigation, focusing on potential connections between the incidents and the suspect’s motives. Videos circulated by German outlets showed the man wearing a Palestinian flag and a keffiyeh headband.

[Information sourced from The Jerusalem Post]