World
Austria: Villach knife attacker identified as 23-year-old Syrian man
Villach, Austria – A 23-year-old man went on a stabbing spree in the southern Austrian city of Villach on Saturday afternoon, fatally wounding a 14-year-old boy and injuring four others before being detained by authorities, police confirmed.
According to Austrian police, the suspect—a Syrian national with legal residence in Austria—attacked five passersby in an unprovoked assault in the city’s downtown area.
The victims, all male and between the ages of 14 and 32, sustained varying degrees of injuries.
A 42-year-old man, who was driving past the scene, intervened by using his vehicle to block the suspect’s movement, helping to prevent further harm, police spokesperson Rainer Dionisio told Austria’s public broadcaster ORF.
Despite efforts by emergency responders, the 14-year-old victim succumbed to his injuries, while two others sustained serious wounds, and two suffered minor injuries.
Law enforcement has yet to establish a clear motive behind the attack and is actively investigating the suspect’s background and potential connections.
“We have to wait until we get secure information,” Dionisio stated.
Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of additional suspects and are continuing their search for any potential accomplices.
The stabbing spree has left the residents of Villach in shock, with local officials expressing deep concern over the incident.
Carinthia Governor Peter Kaiser extended his condolences to the family of the teenage victim, calling the attack “an outrageous atrocity that must be met with harsh consequences.”
He further emphasized that “those who live in Carinthia, in Austria, must respect the law and adhere to our rules and values.”
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are expected to release further details as they become available.
GUAYAQUIL, ECUADOR — A powerful car bomb detonated near Mall del Sol in Guayaquil resulting in multiple fatalities and numerous injuries, according to local authorities.
The blast, which sent shockwaves across the bustling commercial district, is being investigated as a possible terror or organized crime-related attack amid Ecuador’s ongoing struggle with rising gang violence.
The explosion occurred near one of the main entrances of Mall del Sol, one of Guayaquil’s largest and busiest shopping centers, located in the north of the city.
Witnesses described a scene of chaos and destruction as a vehicle parked along the roadside suddenly erupted into flames, sending a massive fireball and thick black smoke into the air.
Surveillance footage and videos shared on social media captured the moment of the detonation, showing debris flying across the street as nearby cars were engulfed by the blast.
Several storefronts and vehicles in the vicinity were heavily damaged, and windows shattered across multiple nearby buildings.
Initial reports from emergency responders indicate that several people were killed, and multiple others sustained serious injuries.
The exact number of casualties has not yet been officially confirmed as rescue operations continue.
Firefighters, police, and medical teams quickly arrived at the scene, cordoning off the area and extinguishing the burning vehicles. Paramedics transported the injured to nearby hospitals, while authorities evacuated the surrounding area to ensure public safety.
Officials from Ecuador’s National Police and Armed Forces have launched an immediate investigation into the attack. Early indications suggest that explosives were deliberately placed inside a parked vehicle, though authorities have not yet disclosed details about the type of device used or any possible suspects.
The Attorney General’s Office and anti-terrorism units are leading the forensic examination of the blast site. Authorities have increased security across Guayaquil and other major Ecuadorian cities, fearing possible coordinated attacks.
Ecuador’s Minister of the Interior condemned the attack, calling it a “cowardly act of violence intended to spread fear among citizens.” The government pledged to bring those responsible to justice and reaffirmed its commitment to restoring security amid escalating gang-related violence in the region.
Residents are urged to avoid the Mall del Sol area as the investigation remains active.
Further updates are expected as officials release more information on the number of victims and the circumstances leading up to the explosion.