Car Plows into Crowd in Germany, Killing Two and Injuring Several

A tragic incident unfolded in the German city of Mannheim, where a vehicle drove into a crowded pedestrian area, killing an 83-year-old woman and a 54-year-old man. The attack left five people seriously injured, while another five sustained minor wounds, authorities confirmed.

Police arrested a 40-year-old German suspect, who is believed to have no links to extremism but exhibits “clear signs of mental illness.” Prosecutors identified him as a landscape gardener. Following the crash, the man reportedly shot himself with a gun loaded with blanks. He was taken to the hospital, where he remains in stable condition.

The incident occurred at approximately 12:15 local time (11:15 GMT). CCTV footage captured a black hatchback speeding down Mannheim’s Planken shopping street before the crash. Images from the scene showed police inspecting a heavily damaged small black Ford, missing a hubcap on the front left wheel.

Investigation and Security Concerns

Authorities have launched a criminal investigation, with Mannheim’s chief public prosecutor, Romeo Schluessler, confirming that the suspect faces two counts of murder and multiple attempted murder charges. Thomas Strobl, Baden-Württemberg’s interior minister, stated that the attacker “used the vehicle as a weapon,” adding that similar car-ramming incidents have taken place in Germany in recent months. However, officials have found no evidence linking the attack to the ongoing Easter carnival in Mannheim.

In response, local officials have canceled carnival events in Mannheim and nearby suburbs, including Feudenheim, Neckarau, and Sandhofen. A market in the city center has also been shut down as a precaution.

Reactions and Recent Attacks in Germany

Mannheim’s mayor, Christian Specht, condemned the incident as “abhorrent and inhumane,” expressing condolences to the victims’ families. Outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also reacted, thanking emergency responders and extending his sympathies, calling the attack a “senseless act of violence.”

The attack comes amid heightened security concerns in Germany following a series of violent incidents. Nine months ago, a deadly stabbing in Mannheim killed a police officer, while another knife attack in Solingen left three dead and eight injured. In December, a man rammed a car into a Christmas market in Magdeburg, killing six and injuring nearly 300 people. More recently, violent attacks in Bavaria and other regions have led to increased scrutiny of public safety measures.

As the investigation continues, authorities remain on high alert, assessing the motives behind the attack and its potential implications for public security.