A mayor in Poland has been stabbed while on stage at a charity event in what has been described as an act of “inexcusable barbarity”.

Pawel Adamowicz, who is the mayor of Gdansk, was attacked in front of hundreds of onlookers during the finale event in the city in aid of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity.

Interior minister Joachim Brudzinski said the 53-year-old was taken to hospital in a very serious condition.

He added in a tweet that an act of “inexcusable barbarity” had taken place.

Police in Poland later confirmed on Twitter that they detained a suspect following the incident.

The president of the European Council Donald Tusk tweeted a message of support to Mr Adamowicz, saying “we are with you”.

Poland’s prime minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, tweeted: “The attack on life and health of Pawel Adamowicz is worthy of the highest condemnation.”

Source: www.msn.com