Syrian Arsonist Armed with Machette and Palestinian Flag Rampage Leaves 31 Injured, Two Kids Critical in Germany; Dramatic Rescue as Children Leapt from Windows

(TJV) A 41-year-old Syrian national unleashed a trail of destruction in the German city of Essen on Saturday, leaving 31 people injured, including two children who remain in critical condition, police and media sources reported Sunday morning.

The terrorist was running around with a machette and a Palestinian flag

The horrifying attacks began around 5:10 PM when the suspect set fire to a residential building at Altenessener Strasse and the corner of Pielsticker Strasse, according to Bild. Moments later, he drove a short distance and ignited another residence, intensifying the chaos.

 The arson left 31 people wounded, as reported by the fire service, while Essen police cited a count of 30. In a desperate effort to escape the flames, children were reportedly hurled from windows onto cushions set up on the street below, Tagesschau revealed.

As if the devastation wasn’t enough, the suspect drove to Katernberger Strasse, where he deliberately rammed his car into a storefront, reversed, and crashed into the building once more. In yet another display of violence, the man fled to a nearby shop, brandishing a machete and threatening bystanders—a chilling moment captured on video by nearby civilians who attempted to fend him off by throwing objects.

Police apprehended the suspect a few meters from the scene, suffering from burns on his hands. Sources told Bild that the man had prior run-ins with law enforcement. In a statement, Essen police confirmed, “The criminal police have taken over the investigation and are examining the connections between the crimes. The specific motives of the arrested man are also the subject of the investigation.”

Further intensifying the incident, videos shared by German media appear to show the suspect wearing a Palestinian flag and a Keffiyeh-patterned headband, adding a political undertone to an already terrifying episode.