Attack at the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin: Syrian refugee who wanted to "kill Jews" stabbed a Spanish tourist

A man was stabbed to death at the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin on Friday, local authorities said. He is a 30-year-old Spanish tourist, who died as a result of his injuries.

According to the police spokeswoman the attack took place at the iconic monument located in the heart of the German capital, near the U.S. Embassy. Police made one arrest in connection with the attack. It is a 19-year-old Syrian refugee who wanted, according to the authorities, to "kill Jews".

The 19-year-old suspect "had been planning for several weeks to kill Jews" and "it was in this context that he chose the place" for the attack, said a statement from the authorities, which alludes to a possible "religious motive" for this act.

At the crime scene, authorities found a folding knife, a German media outlet reported.

The site of the incident, which encompasses more than 2,000 concrete stelae in memory of the millions of Jews murdered by the Third Reich, was immediately cordoned off by law enforcement.

Several people who witnessed the attack are being treated for shock. For their part, the authorities deployed an extensive security operation in the area.

Holocaust Memorial

It was inaugurated in 2005 and is one of the most emblematic sites in Berlin, dedicated to honor the memory of the victims of the Nazi genocide. This violent incident has shocked the city.

Authorities, for their part, have appealed to the public to provide any information that may help in the investigation.