An unidentified 40-year-old man drove his car into a crowd in the German city of Mannheim on Monday, March 3. As a result, at least two people died and dozens were injured. Local police have arrested the suspect but no extra information regarding the incident has been revealed.
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According to Reuters, the German man lives in Rhineland-Palatinate, just next to the Baden-Württemberg state where Mannheim is located. The state interior minister of Baden-Württemberg confirmed the news but was unable to elaborate further. Local police confirmed that the unnamed man acted by himself and that there was no further threat to the public.
The reported attack took place during carnival weekend. Said carnival traditionally starts before Lent and gathers many across the Rhineland. The man allegedly drove the vehicle and plowed through a huge crowd of people gathered to celebrate during carnival season. Pedestrians in the area were gathered around food stalls, rides, and games according to France 24.
Following the attack, many were seen lying on the ground, with two individuals being resuscitated, as per Reuters. Many others were running in panic, with one witness telling WELT that "all hell broke loose." According to the man, police were everywhere, including rooftops, and helicopters were circling the area.
"There is currently a police operation in Mannheim city center, in the area around Wasserturm/Plankenkopf," Mannheim police said in a statement, according to the Daily Mail. "Police and rescue services are on their way. Further information is not yet available. In this context, there may be temporary traffic disruptions in the city centre"
A Tragedy
The Mannheim University Hospital, according to WELT, was preparing for a "possible influx of injured people." Two adults and a child are currently receiving emergency treatment as their condition is critical.
Baden-Württemberg's Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann addressed the incident on X, saying that "Germany must become a safe country again."
"My thoughts are with the victims and their families," Kretschmann
