Austrian officials have declared that a stabbing that killed a 14-year-old kid

Austrian officials have declared that a stabbing that killed a 14-year-old kid and injured five others was an Islamist attack.
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 Three of the injured are still in critical condition following the Saturday attack in Villach, a town close to the Slovenian and Italian borders, according to authorities. Murder and attempted murder charges have been brought against a 23-year-old Syrian asylum seeker who was arrested at the site. State police head Michaela Kohlweiss claimed he had vowed loyalty to the Islamic State group, while Interior Minister Gerhard Karner claimed an Islamic State group flag had been discovered in his flat. Karner stated this was a "Islamist attack with IS links by an attacker who, according to the investigations," during a press conference on Sunday
 so far, was obviously radicalised online, via the internet, within a very short space of time.

"So those in a position of responsibility, the police, the authorities, must draw the necessary conclusions from that."

Karner said the suspect had a valid residence permit, no criminal record, and had not previously attracted the attention of authorities.

Authorities previously said the suspect had a temporary residence permit and was waiting for a decision on his asylum application.

The attack took place around 16:00 local time (15:00 GMT) near the town's main square.

On Sunday, authorities confirmed the ages of those who were injured: Two 15-year-olds, with the other victims aged 28, 32 and 36. Five of them are Austrian nationals and one is Turkish.

Three are in intensive care, one is in a stable condition and another is receiving outpatient treatment.

A delivery worker, also a Syrian man, who had driven his vehicle at the attacker helped prevent more injuries, police said.

The attack comes amid a national debate over asylum laws and an election last year that saw the far-right Freedom Party come out on top for the first time.


Alexander Van der Bellen, the president of Austria, is considering calling a quick election, forming a minority government, or inviting other parties or a panel of experts to try to create an administration after the party was unable to build a coalition government.In response to the Villach attack, Freedom Party leader Herbert Kickl declared on Saturday that Austria requires a "rigorous crackdown on asylum".Karner advocated for screening of specific groups, including Syrian and Afghanista asylum applicants, and stated that "legal reforms" for police and authorities were necessary on Sunday.

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