Two killed as car plows into crowd in Germany
An 83-year-old woman and a 54-year-old man lost their lives when a vehicle crashed into a pedestrian zone in Mannheim, western Germany. Authorities confirmed that five others sustained serious injuries, while an additional five suffered minor wounds. The driver, a 40-year-old German man, was arrested at the scene. Investigators have ruled out any extremist motive, stating that the suspect exhibits “concrete indications of mental illness.”
The suspect, identified as a landscape gardener, remains hospitalized in stable condition after attempting to harm himself. According to prosecutors, he shot himself with a gun loaded with blanks before being taken into custody. The incident occurred around 12:15 local time (11:15 GMT) on Monday, with CCTV footage capturing a black Ford hatchback speeding down Planken shopping street before the crash. Images from the scene showed the heavily damaged vehicle with a missing front left hubcap, consistent with surveillance footage from the area.
Baden-Württemberg’s Interior Minister, Thomas Strobl, strongly condemned the incident in Mannheim, describing it as yet another case of a vehicle being misused as a weapon. However, he clarified that there is currently no evidence suggesting the attack was linked to the ongoing Easter carnival in the city. Authorities have launched a formal investigation into two counts of murder and multiple counts of attempted murder, according to Mannheim’s chief public prosecutor, Romeo Schluessler.
Mannheim’s Mayor, Christian Specht, also expressed outrage, calling the attack “abhorrent and inhumane.” He extended his condolences to the victims and their families, reassuring the public that local authorities are working closely with law enforcement agencies to uncover further details about the suspect and motive behind the tragedy.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz joined in mourning the loss of life, expressing gratitude to first responders for their swift actions. In a social media post, he acknowledged the trauma suffered by witnesses and survivors, offering his support and wishing strength and recovery to those injured in the attack.
In response to the incident, officials have canceled multiple public events, including a market and a street carnival scheduled for the coming days. The festivities in Mannheim’s city center, as well as celebrations in nearby neighborhoods such as Feudenheim, Neckarau, and Sandhofen, have also been called off. The attack has heightened security concerns, particularly as Germany hosts outdoor events tied to Easter celebrations.
The tragedy in Mannheim is the latest in a series of violent attacks in Germany over the past year. Nine months ago, the city witnessed another attack when an Afghan man stabbed multiple people, killing a police officer. In August, a knife attack in Solingen left three dead and eight injured, with the suspect linked to the Islamic State. December saw a deadly vehicle-ramming incident at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, killing six and injuring nearly 300. Other attacks in early 2024, including fatal stabbings and car rammings, have further fueled security concerns across the country.
Authorities continue to investigate Monday’s attack, with officials working to determine the suspect’s mental state and possible motives. The city of Mannheim remains on high alert as officials urge residents to remain vigilant in the wake of recent violence.