Two people have tragically lost their lives, and 11 others have been injured in Mannheim, Germany, after a driver intentionally drove his car into a crowd. The incident occurred on Monday around 12:15 PM in a pedestrian area known as Paradeplatz. Following the attack, the driver shot himself and is now in stable condition in the hospital.
Among the injured, five people are reported to be in serious condition. German police and prosecutors are investigating the driver, who is a 40-year-old man from the nearby state of Rhineland-Palatinate, for murder and attempted murder. Authorities are also looking into the possibility that he may have psychological issues.
At a news conference, police spokesperson Stefan Wilhelm stated that there is currently no evidence suggesting that the attack was motivated by extremist or religious beliefs. The state’s interior minister, Thomas Strobl, confirmed that the investigation is being led by the State Criminal Police Office in cooperation with the Mannheim Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene as armed police and forensic investigators examined the black vehicle, which had smashed windows, near the Rhine bridge. Local officials had issued alerts through emergency apps, warning residents to stay away from the city center due to a significant police presence.
Mannheim University Hospital was prepared for a potential mass casualty situation, activating its emergency plan and increasing its intensive care capacity. Eight trauma teams were on standby to assist both adults and children affected by the incident.
This tragic event comes at a time when cities across Germany are celebrating carnival season. Authorities had heightened security measures due to social media threats linked to extremist groups calling for attacks during these festivities.
Mannheim, a city of approximately 326,000 people, is located about 50 miles south of Frankfurt. The community is now grappling with the aftermath of this shocking attack, which has echoed similar incidents in Germany in recent months.