A Syrian suspect has been apprehended following a series of incidents in the western German city of Essen, according to police reports on Sunday. The events included fires at two apartment blocks and a van crashing into shops. Over 30 individuals were injured in the fires that occurred on Saturday evening, with eight children sustaining serious injuries, as stated by Essen police in a press release. Shortly thereafter, a van collided with two nearby shops, resulting in property damage but no reported injuries.
A 41-year-old Syrian man was taken into custody at the scene. Initial investigations suggest that the suspect's actions were motivated by personal issues, specifically that his wife had left him. He was reportedly armed with 'knives and fire accelerants' with the intent to target homes and shops associated with individuals who had supported his wife. The Bild daily newspaper reported that the suspect had threatened bystanders with a machete.
This incident occurs amidst a heated debate in Germany concerning migration, following a series of attacks. In August, three people were killed and eight others injured in a knife attack at a street festival in the western city of Solingen, allegedly perpetrated by a Syrian asylum seeker. In response to these attacks, Germany has implemented measures to strengthen immigration controls and knife laws. The government has introduced new border checks and pledged to expedite the deportation of migrants without legal residency status. Germany welcomed over a million asylum seekers during the peak of Europe's migrant crisis in 2015-2016, a significant influx that has bolstered support for the far-right AfD party.
