A recently appointed mayor in Germany's western region has been attacked with a knife and left critically injured near her home, police say.
The official, 57 years old, is a member of the SPD political group and assumed the mayoral role of the municipality in the North-Rhine Westphalia state in last month.
Local police say a major operation is in progress in the community. Officials say every possibility is being checked, but they are considering a domestic link.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz censured what he called "a heinous act", stating: "We are concerned about the survival of the newly elected mayor, Iris Stalzer, and hope for a full recovery."
The SPD expressed its members were profoundly stunned by the attack.
Officials say Stalzer's two adopted children - a daughter, 17, and a teenage boy - made an emergency call to authorities at midday local time (11:00 BST).
The children were later taken away for interviewing and evidence collection. A reporter at the scene observed a teenager getting into a police patrol car.
During the summer, there was an family conflict episode in the family, which was recorded by the police, insiders revealed.
- Public official stabbed at residence
- Severe injuries confirmed
- Probe focuses on family links
- Minors alerted authorities
