by Admin
March 03/3/2025
At least two people were killed and several others injured on Monday when a car plowed into a group of pedestrians in the western German city of Mannheim, authorities confirmed.
According to police spokesperson Stefan Wilhelm, the incident occurred at Paradeplatz, a central square in Mannheim’s pedestrian zone.
The driver, a 40-year-old German man from the nearby state of Rhineland-Palatinate, was immediately taken into custody.
In a statement later released by the police officials, it was confirmed that the 40-year-old assailant acted alone and posed no ongoing threat to the public.
Baden-Württemberg’s state interior minister, Thomas Strobl, confirmed the fatalities and stated that “several others are seriously injured.” He assured that the police are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the attack, including the suspect’s motive.
Paradeplatz, a major landmark in downtown Mannheim, lies at the end of a pedestrian-only street.
The city, home to approximately 326,000 residents, is located 85 kilometers (53 miles) south of Frankfurt.
However, Mannheim University Hospital reported treating three victims from the crash, including two adults and a child, according to German news agency dpa. It remains unclear whether other hospitals received additional patients.
The attack occurred just a day after Mannheim hosted a major street parade as part of its annual carnival celebrations.
Across Germany, many people have taken extended holidays for the carnival season, including Rose Monday, when numerous cities hold large-scale parades.
Germany has witnessed a series of violent attacks in recent months, with increased car-ramming incidents and stabbing sprees.
Last month, a man drove his vehicle into a trade union demonstration in Munich, killing a two-year-old girl and her mother.
In December, a Christmas market in Magdeburg was targeted in a car-ramming attack that left six people dead and hundreds injured.
Mannheim itself was the scene of a stabbing attack last year May, when a police officer was killed, and five others were wounded during an anti-Islam rally.
In light of recent events, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser had assured the public that carnival festivities were being held under “high-security precautions.”
However, following the Mannheim attack, she canceled her scheduled visit to the Rose Monday parade in Cologne.
Authorities continue to investigate the latest tragedy as the country grapples with growing concerns over public safety amid an increase in violent attacks.