A vehicle drove into a crowd in the pedestrian zone of Mannheim’s city centre on Monday, killing two people and injuring at least 14 others. Authorities have taken a 40-year-old German man into custody.
The incident, which took place near the Wasserturm and the Galeria Kaufhof department store, led to a large-scale police response, with officers urging residents to avoid the area.
Unclear Motive: Accident or Deliberate Attack?
The exact circumstances surrounding the event remain under investigation. Police have not yet confirmed whether the crash was an accident or an intentional act. Witnesses reported scenes of panic as the vehicle ploughed through the busy shopping street, leaving injured pedestrians in its wake.
Emergency services rushed to the site, with paramedics treating casualties at the scene before transferring them to hospitals. The Mannheim University Clinic confirmed it was treating three seriously injured individuals, including a child. The hospital declared a disaster emergency due to the scale of the incident.
Security Measures and Official Response
Law enforcement swiftly cordoned off large sections of the city centre. Officers armed with submachine guns were deployed, while a police helicopter monitored the situation from above. Traffic was severely restricted, with police advising motorists to avoid the city centre.
Baden-Württemberg’s Interior Minister, Thomas Strobl, confirmed that the suspect, a resident of Rhineland-Palatinate, was injured and is currently receiving medical treatment under police supervision.
Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser cancelled her planned visit to Cologne’s Rose Monday parade and travelled to Mannheim in response to the event.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities are working to determine the suspect’s motive. The local police and federal security services are coordinating efforts, with forensic teams examining the scene and analysing CCTV footage for further clues.
This incident comes amid heightened security concerns in Germany, following previous attacks involving vehicles being driven into crowds. Officials have not ruled out any possibilities as investigations continue.
Further updates are expected as more details emerge.
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