Last Updated:
Iris Stalzer, newly elected mayor of Herdecke, is in critical condition after being stabbed by several men outside her home

Iris Stalzer, 57, was reportedly attacked by several men, though the motive remains unknown. (Image via X)
The mayor of Herdecke, a town in western Germany, is in critical condition after being stabbed outside her home on Tuesday. Iris Stalzer, 57, was reportedly attacked by several men, though the motive remains unknown. Police have launched an investigation into the incident.
Stalzer had only recently taken office, having been elected mayor of the Ruhr region city on September 28. The attack has shocked the local community, coming just days after her appointment.
Recommended Stories
According to German newspaper BILD, Stalzer was found seriously injured by her son in their apartment in Herdecke-Herrentisch, located in North Rhine-Westphalia. She had suffered multiple stab wounds to her stomach and back.
Before losing consciousness, she reportedly told her son that she had been attacked by several men on the street. Emergency services rushed her to hospital, where she remains in a critical condition.
In response to the incident, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed concern and support in a post on X. He wrote, “We have received a message about an abominable act from Herdecke. It must now be swiftly clarified.”
“We are anxious about the life of the designated mayor Iris Stalzer and hope for her complete recovery. My thoughts are with her family and her relatives,” Merz added.
About the Author
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
Germany
October 07, 2025, 18:00 IST
Loading comments…
Read More