"Two Killed and Several Injured in Car Attack in Mannheim, Germany"

At least two people have died and several more have been injured after a car drove into pedestrians on a busy shopping street in the German city of Mannheim. The tragic incident happened around lunchtime on Monday on a pedestrian-only street that had been hosting a market celebrating the ongoing carnival season.

Authorities have arrested a 40-year-old German male from Rhineland-Palatinate who is now facing charges including two counts of murder along with several counts of attempted murder. Interior minister Thomas Strobl from Baden-Wurttemberg stated that, based on initial investigations, police do not suspect the individual has extremist or political motives and indicate instead that the suspect likely suffers from psychological problems.

Upon his arrest, the suspect reportedly inflicted a gunshot injury upon himself and is currently receiving treatment in a hospital. Following this event, police heavily secured the area around Mannheim’s central square, Paradeplatz, and confiscated the vehicle involved in the tragedy.

Police have confirmed that out of ten people injured, five sustained serious injuries, while the others experienced minor wounds. Authorities have clarified that previous reports suggesting children were among the hospitalized victims are incorrect.

The incident took place in daylight when eyewitnesses saw a black SUV drive into numerous pedestrians in Mannheim’s central shopping area known as Planken. At the time, Mannheim and other cities across Germany were hosting seasonal carnival events, with 60 food stalls and attractions set up in the city center since the previous Thursday.

Witness descriptions depicted scenes of confusion and horror, with injured people and bodies lying in the street. Due to the severity of the event, all carnival festivities scheduled for Tuesday have been canceled. Mannheim’s Lord Mayor Christian Specht ordered city buildings to raise mourning flags, and religious services have been planned to help the community cope after this tragic situation.

Germany’s Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, visibly shaken by the news, canceled her scheduled attendance at a parade in Cologne to respond to the Mannheim attack. She described the incident as an unimaginable act occurring in broad daylight, affecting countless individuals enjoying a peaceful lunchtime outdoors.

The event in Mannheim follows closely on similar recent incidents across the country, including a car attack in Munich a few weeks ago that claimed the lives of a young mother and her child, and a stabbing in May 2024 at a nearby rally, leading to heightened nationwide concerns about public safety. The topic of security was already notably prominent during recent German elections, fueling political debates and bolstering right-wing and far-right political parties.