Salman Rushdie, the Mumbai-born author who faced Islamist death threats for years after writing 'The Satanic Verses', underwent surgery after he suffered multiple stab wounds to the neck.
A man stormed the stage and stabbed Rushdie as he was about to deliver a lecture during an event in New York's Chautauqua Institution.
The audience tackled the attacker and Rushdie was then treated onstage following the assault.
A video taken by a member of audience shows the attacker being led away by the police and some civilians
“State Police are investigating an attack on author Salman Rushdie prior to a speaking event at the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, NY. On August 12, 2022, at about 11 a.m., a male suspect ran up onto the stage and attacked Rushdie and an interviewer,” New York Police said in a statement.
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“Rushdie suffered an apparent stab wound to the neck and was transported by helicopter to an area hospital. His condition is not yet known. The interviewer suffered a minor head injury. A State Trooper assigned to the event immediately took the suspect into custody. The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office assisted at the scene,” it said.
Several users on the social media site posted visuals from the event in Chautauqua, New York that showed emergency medical crews and other authorities on stage at the event where Rushdie was reportedly stabbed.
Chautauqua Institution, where at an event Rushdie was stabbed, said it is focussing on coordinating with police officials following the “tragic" incident.