The Austrian government has vowed to conduct sweeping reviews of asylum seekers from Afghanistan and Syria following a deadly terrorist attack in the city of Villach, where a 23-year-old Syrian asylum seeker fatally stabbed a 14-year-old boy and injured five others.
The attacker, who had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, was arrested after being subdued by a food delivery driver who struck him with his car.
The attack occurred in the city center of Villach in Carinthia on Saturday. The assailant, armed with a ten-centimeter-long knife, indiscriminately attacked passersby, shouting “Allahu Akbar” during the rampage. Among the injured were two 15-year-olds, a 28-year-old, a 32-year-old, and a 36-year-old. Three of the injured victims remain in intensive care.
BREAKING: Terror attack in Austria's Villach.
A Syrian migrant stabbed 5 people while screaming "Allahu Akbar," resulting in the death of a 14-year-old boy.
He was photographed smiling after the massacre.
This comes just days after the Munich attack. pic.twitter.com/l2FVFDWdLn
— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) February 15, 2025Authorities later discovered an Islamic State flag in the attacker’s apartment, along with evidence that he had followed multiple Islamist preachers on TikTok. He had also sworn loyalty to the terrorist organization. Despite his radical affiliations, the suspect was not listed as a threat by Austrian authorities or international security agencies. He had been granted asylum in Austria in 2020 and had no prior criminal record.
This is the 14-year-old Austrian killed yesterday by a smiling Syrian asylum seeker in Villach.
Alex was one of 6 people stabbed.
"He was a loving person. He always took care of everyone and tried to help wherever possible.," said his ex-girlfriend. pic.twitter.com/P2G79m2PRN
— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) February 16, 2025According to investigators, the suspect had intended to be arrested after the attack and was even prepared to be shot by police. Law enforcement initially suspected multiple perpetrators, leading to the temporary closure of Villach’s train station. However, authorities have since confirmed that the attacker acted alone. Security measures in the city have been heightened, with 120 officers deployed to maintain order.
The incident has sparked fierce political debate, particularly from the right-wing Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ), which is currently attempting to form a coalition government after winning the federal election held in September last year.
Party leader Herbert Kickl strongly criticized the government’s approach to security and immigration, accusing authorities of failing to protect Austrian citizens.
“How long do you want to deceive our people? I can no longer listen to the same empty promises of ‘full force of the law,'” Kickl stated on social media. He called for harsher punishments and stricter deportation policies, arguing that the suspect should never have been allowed into Austria in the first place.
Other political leaders have also weighed in on the attack. Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) vowed to take immediate action to prevent similar incidents, announcing the introduction of “mass checks” targeting asylum seekers, particularly those from Syria and Afghanistan, to assess potential security threats.
Carinthia’s Governor Peter Kaiser (SPÖ) emphasized the need for stronger prevention measures, particularly regarding online radicalization. “We must rethink how such extremist ideologies spread so rapidly through digital platforms,” he said.
“No words can describe the pain, horror, and fear caused by this attack. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased and the injured,” added Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen.
Austrian conservatives, however, noted the legacy parties had overseen a policy of mass migration for years and argued it had failed to implement adequate checks before welcoming record numbers of new arrivals.
Despite any possible review of existing asylum seekers, the 23-year-old suspect from the Villach attack will not be deported any time soon.
“The Syrian concerned has committed a serious crime — a murder and several attempted murders. His protection status is therefore of course withdrawn,” the Austrian interior ministry stated on Sunday, but added: “Before a deportation can be done, he must first serve his prison sentence.”
Following the attack, Austria’s security forces have intensified their presence in Villach. State Police Director Michaela Kohlweiß confirmed that investigations are ongoing, with authorities focusing on the suspect’s connections and potential radical networks.
The terror attack in Villach came just six months after a foiled plot at a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna back in August last year.
Authorities arrested three individuals, aged 17 to 19, who had been inspired by Islamic State and had planned to use explosives and knives to target concertgoers at the U.S. popstar’s concert at Vienna’s Ernst-Happel-Stadion.
