Apparent vehicle ramming attack in Mannheim, Germany leaves at least 1 dead, multiple injuries

A vehicle drove into a crowd of people in the western German city of Mannheim on Monday, killing at least one person and leaving others seriously wounded, according to police. The city’s police force said an operation was ongoing in the area and urged people to avoid central Mannheim.

The incident came as crowds gathered in cities across Germany for parades to mark the Christian Carnival season, and witnesses said the incident occurred near one such event. The ramming came on what Christian Germans mark as Rose Monday, the highlight of their carnival season that takes place on Shrove Monday, before the Lenten period begins on Ash Wednesday.

In statements posted on social media, the police confirmed an ongoing operation after “a car drove into a group of people in Mannheim city center,” adding that according to preliminary information, “one person was killed and several people were injured.” 

“No information can be given yet on the number and severity of the injuries. As part of the search measures that were immediately initiated, a suspect was identified and arrested,” the police said, stressing that there was no further “reliable” information to share.

An eyewitness at the scene told Reuters they saw several people on ground, including two whom medics appeared to be attempting to resuscitate.

Local media outlets, citing witnesses, said some had seen a black SUV drive at high speed from an area where a parade was taking place, hitting people and leaving several seriously wounded.

This breaking news story will be updated.