A stabbing incident in Austria that resulted in the death of a 14-year-old boy and left five others injured has been classified as an Islamist assault, Austrian officials have confirmed.
The attack occurred on Saturday in Villach, a town near the frontier with Italy and Slovenia.
A 23-year-old Syrian asylum applicant was apprehended at the location.
Interior Minister Gerhard Karner stated that an Islamic State group banner had been discovered in his residence, while state police chief Michaela Kohlweiss mentioned that he had pledged loyalty to the organization.
Addressing a press briefing on Sunday, Karner described the incident as an “Islamist assault with IS connections by a perpetrator who, based on investigations so far, was evidently radicalized online, through the internet, within a very short duration.”
“So those in positions of authority—the police and relevant agencies—must take the necessary measures in response,” he added.
Karner noted that the suspect possessed a legitimate residence authorization, had no prior criminal history, and had not previously drawn attention from authorities.
Officials had earlier reported that the suspect held a provisional residence status and was awaiting a ruling on his asylum request.
The assault happened around 16:00 local time (15:00 GMT) near the town’s central plaza.
Three of the five individuals harmed in the stabbing are still undergoing hospital care. Two of them remained in critical condition as of Saturday night.
A delivery driver, also a Syrian national, who had steered his vehicle toward the assailant, helped prevent additional casualties, according to police.
The attack unfolds amid a nationwide discussion regarding asylum policies and follows last year’s election, which saw the far-right Freedom Party emerge victorious for the first time.
The party has been unsuccessful in establishing a coalition government, leaving Austria’s President Alexander Van der Bellen considering whether to announce an early election, install a minority government, or invite other political entities or a panel of experts to attempt forming an administration.
Herbert Kickl, the leader of the Freedom Party, capitalized on the Villach attack, stating on Saturday that Austria requires a “strict clampdown on asylum.”
