A suspect remains at large after a deadly mass shooting on festival-goers in the western German city of Solingen.

Three people were killed and four others seriously injured in a stabbing attack at a festival in the western German city of Solingen, authorities said.

An unidentified man attacked several people with a knife at around 10pm local time on Friday (20:00 GMT), police said, and the perpetrator remains at large.

Police said the attack took place at a festival to mark the 650th anniversary of the founding of the city of Solingen, which is located in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany’s most populous state and borders the Netherlands.

Fatal stabbings and shootings are relatively rare in Germany.

“It breaks my heart that there was an attack on our city,” said Tim Oliver Kurzbach, mayor of Solingen. “Tears well up in my eyes when I think of those we have lost.” In a statement“I pray for all those who are still fighting for their lives.”

“This evening, we are all faced with shock, horror and deep sadness in Solingen. We all wanted to celebrate the anniversary of our city together, and now we have to mourn the dead and wounded,” Kurzbach wrote.

The German newspaper “Bild” reported that the attacker fled the scene after apparently attacking the festival participants randomly.

The attack took place at Froenhofplatz, a market square in the city of Solingen where live music was taking place. Security forces have cordoned off the city centre while investigations are ongoing.

A video circulating on social media showed festival organizer Philippe Muller at the event announcing that nine people were fighting for their lives after the attack.

The “Diversity Festival” kicked off on Friday and was scheduled to last for the weekend, aiming to celebrate the city’s 650th anniversary.