Germany stabbing latest: Boy, 15, detained as manhunt continues after three killed in Solingen festival attack

A 15 year old boy has been detained by German police after three people were killed in a mass stabbing at a diversity festival - but the perpetrator is still at large.

A large-scale manhunt was launched last night for the suspect, who started attacking people shortly after 9.30pm on Friday as thousands gathered at the central square in Solingen, west Germany, for a festival to mark the city’s 650 ^th anniversary.

The detained 15-year-old was seen speaking with the perpetrator of the attack moments before it was carried out, police said in a press conference this afternoon.

Police are questioning the teenage boy, as the manhunt for the perpetrator - believed to be a man - continues.

Counterterrorism officer Markus Caspers said an investigation into the motive is ongoing, but that the “overall circumstances” show that terrorism “cannot be ruled out”.

The three people who died were a 67-year-old man, a 56-year-old man and a 56-year-old woman. Eight people were injured, including four “very seriously”.