Horror struck Rostock, Germany, yesterday afternoon (November 19) after a man plunged off a balcony with a child in his arms.
The man, 34, died from his injuries but the baby, just nine months old, miraculously survived. The child was seriously injured, according to the German news outlet Bild.
The man, which Bild reported was from Algeria, leapt from a high-rise building after he may have attacked a woman with a knife in the apartment. Police are still investigating this possibility.
The German-born woman, 23, remains in hospital after suffering multiple serious stab wounds and emergency surgery. Her sister was also taken to hospital with shock and is undergoing psychological care.
(Image: Stefan Tretropp)
Police spokeswoman Dörte Lembke said the baby was still crying when officers arrived on the scene. The child remains in a critical condition in hospital and is under intensive care.
Witnesses reported that police were first called to the scene around 3pm yesterday following reports of a man jumping off a balcony. The child could be heard screaming loudly after the man carrying it impacted with the ground.
Police then investigated the apartment on the 10th floor after breaking open the door to find the injured woman lying there. It is not clear if the child is the daughter of the dead man or the woman who was stabbed.
The scene is around 20 metres from a playground which is popular with children in better weather, according to Rostock daily newspaper Ostsee-Zeitung.
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Locals who saw the awful incident occur have also received psychological support, while police continued to interview locals and question witnesses.
Many in the neighbourhood said they were shocked by what happened. One person, who met the couple on the morning of the incident, said they appeared to be in a good mood.
“Both were always very nice and polite,” they said, according to a translation of a quote in Ostsee-Zeitung.
They added: “I can’t explain any of this. It’s just terrible.”
If you have been affected by issues of domestic violence or coercive control you can call Refuge’s 24-Hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline for free. The number is 0808 2000 247
For emotional support, you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.