Solingen stabbing latest: German police make second arrest as Islamic State claim responsibility for attack

German police have made a second arrest in connection with the Solingen knife attack which left three dead and eight injured, shortly after Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack.

Specialist policing units entered a building which is reportedly a home for asylum seekers, before making the second arrest of the day.

Authorities have not confirmed who the individual is or how they are believed to be connected to the stabbing.

Earlier, Islamic State claimed responsibility on Telegram, saying that the attacker was a “soldier of the Islamic State”, without providing any supporting evidence.

The knifeman 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.

A 15 year old boy was detained earlier today after he was seen speaking with the perpetrator of the attack moments before it was carried out, police said in a press conference.

Counterterrorism officer Markus Caspers said that the possibility of a terrorism motive “cannot be ruled out”.

A 67-year-old man, a 56-year-old man and a 56-year-old woman died in the attack. Eight people were injured, including four “very seriously”.