FACT CHECK: X Images Show 2021 Stabbing In Wurzburg, Not Recent Incident In Solingen

Christine Sellers | Fact Check Reporter

Images shared on X purport to show a recent stabbing that occurred in Solingen, Germany.

Verdict: Misleading

The images show a 2021 stabbing that occurred in Wurzburg, Germany, not the recent attack in Solingen. A photo included in a June 2021 article from Express highlighting the Wuzburg stabbing appears to resemble the images shared on X.

Fact Check:

A 26-year-old man confessed to committing a recent stabbing in Solingen, Germany that killed three people and injured eight others, according to BBC News. The Islamic State (ISIS) claimed responsibility for the attack, the outlet reported.

The X images, viewed over 4,000 times as of writing, purport to show a recent stabbing that occurred in Solingen, Germany. In the first photo, a man dressed in a light shirt and dark pants appears to wield a knife, while in the second, a man in a dark shirt and shorts appears to back away from the alleged perpetrator. “[Three] dead, several injured in knife attack at festival in Solingen, Germany…..,” the post caption begins. “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!” it continues.

The claim is misleading. Check Your Fact conducted a reverse image search, which led us to a June 2021 article from Express highlighting a stabbing in Wurzburg, Germany. A photo included in the article appears to resemble those featured in the X post and also shows a man wearing a light shirt and dark pants.

According to the outlet, which cited the German newspaper Bild, at least three people were killed, and six others were injured following the incident. The police arrested a 24-year-old man in connection with the attack, the outlet indicated.

Likewise, the X images do not appear to be referenced in any credible news reports about the recent stabbing in Solingen. Actually, the opposite is true. On Aug. 26, Misbar reported the claim was misleading, also noting the images showed the 2021 attack in Wurzburg, not the recent stabbing in Solingen. (RELATED: Image Claims To Show Israeli Finance Minister Taking Cover In A Bomb Shelter?)

In addition, the German police have not shared the images on their website or their verified social media accounts.

Check Your Fact has contacted the German police for comment.

Christine Sellers

Fact Check Reporter

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