Terror Attack in Villach: Numerous False Claims Circulate

On social media, the authenticity of a photo circulated in the media was questioned, an alleged video of the attack was spread, and false claims about allegedly other individuals sought by the police caused additional unrest.

Assessment:

There is no evidence to suggest that the photo of the arrest of the attacker is not genuine. The video, falsely associated with the attack in Villach, actually originates from Germany. The rumor that further Syrians are being sought is also labeled as false by the police.

Verification:

Photos of the arrest of the alleged perpetrator circulated on several platforms, which were labeled as edited on social media. Allegedly, the lack of reaction from a waiter in the background, the reflection of a non-existent car, or peculiarities in the anatomy of the alleged perpetrator are pointed out. However, there is no evidence for this.

There are images of the scene taken from different angles and at different times. These not only prove that the waiter in the background did indeed react to the scene in the foreground (https://go.apa.at/TZoBjaT2, https://go.apa.at/e7oJB3d8). With a larger section of the same image, the white car reflected in one of the windows can also be seen.

The fact that the server in the background is not wearing a jacket is no more an indication of an edited photo than the posture or wrist of the alleged perpetrator. The location of the arrest can be clearly identified. It is located in front of a recently opened venue at Villach's main square.

Video Has Nothing to Do with Villach

A video that is associated with the attack is also circulating online not only in German-speaking regions. However, it does not show the incident in Villach but was recorded in the German city of Herten (North Rhine-Westphalia). This can be determined from several clues.

The Villach perpetrator acted alone, but the video shows a crowd of people. Rival groups seem to be clashing there. Additionally, a weapon can be seen multiple times. It is a small axe and not a knife as in Villach. This was also reported by German media.

Details from the video allow the location to be precisely identified. In the clip, a statue is visible in the foreground. It is part of the Herten Sculpture Trail, as a reverse image search reveals. It is located at Place d'Arras. According to Google Maps, the association "Freeplay.ruhr" is located there. A photo on their website shows a "Quelle" sign, which is also visible in the video.

Although the facades at the square match those in the video, the square looks different on the mapping service Mapillary (which shows the statue in a different location than in the video). The reason: The map material is dated September 2022. The square has since been redesigned and reopened in April 2024 (https://go.apa.at/pGrIsb2X, https://go.apa.at/jKjIjVqR), with the "Lesender" sculpture relocated in the process.

No Evidence of Additional Perpetrators or Crime Scenes

On Monday, the claim that 17 more Syrians were being sought, first reported by the news portal "5min," also caused unrest among the Villach population. The police did not release this information to avoid frightening the people in Villach, according to a screenshot of an Instagram story sent to "5min.at" and also available to APA. The statements are false, emphasized the Carinthian police upon APA inquiry.

Immediately after the crime, rumors of additional crime scenes circulated, but they were not confirmed. Nor was the suspicion of a second perpetrator substantiated. As the Carinthian police explained upon APA inquiry, statements from passersby near the crime scene, which suggested there might be a second perpetrator, led to an alarm search and a temporary closure of Villach's main train station.

The fear quickly proved to be unfounded, which is why the police assume a lone perpetrator. During his interrogation on Monday afternoon, the man reportedly confirmed himself that he acted completely alone.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.