Man arrested after allegedly attacking neighbour with axe and knife

A 37-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attacking his 45-year-old neighbour with a kitchen knife and an axe in Graz’s Geidorf district. The woman suffered life-threatening injuries, ORF Steiermark reported.

The attack allegedly followed a verbal dispute that escalated at about 6 p.m. on Monday. The woman sustained serious injuries to her head, face and neck, as well as cuts to her upper body. She was taken to a Graz hospital and placed in an induced coma.

The man called emergency services after the incident. Police arrested him at the scene. During questioning, he admitted attacking the woman but said he had not intended to kill her and had only been trying to defend himself. Police found no injuries on him.

Investigators seized the suspected weapons and are examining them. The motive remains unclear, and police are looking into whether there had been previous disputes between the neighbours. The Styrian State Criminal Police Office is handling the investigation.