A driver rammed a car into a crowd in the south-western German city of Mannheim, killing two people and injuring 11 others.
Police arrested a 40-year-old German citizen after the incident in a pedestrianised street in Mannheim on Monday at around noon.
The suspect shot himself in the mouth and is in hospital, said prosecutors, who said they believed he was “psychologically unwell”.
State interior minister Thomas Strobl of Baden-Wurttemberg told reporters at a press conference there was no indication of extremist or religious motive to the incident.
The suspect is in stable condition, but could not yet be questioned by the police. He is being investigated for murder and attempted murder, said Mr Strobl.
Of the 11 injured, five people were seriously injured.
Local media reported a carnival market was taking place, meaning more visitors than usual in Mannheim, which has a population of 326,000.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz wrote on X: "We mourn with the families of the victims of a senseless act of violence.”
Key Points
- Prosecutor believes suspect in car incident 'psychologically unwell'
- Two people killed and 10 in hospital, say police
- ‘One perpetrator’ arrested: police
- Police warn of ‘life-threatening situation’ in Mannheim
Interior minister calls incident a 'horror in broad daylight'
21:31 , Bryony GoochGerman interior minister Nancy Faeser called the incident a “terrible act...a horror in broad daylight”.
She said in a press conference: “In the most beautiful weather during the lunch break, when many people are outside, in the middle of a pedestrian zone.
“This is simply an unimaginably terrible act that happened here.”
Outgoing chancellor 'mourns' victims of 'senseless act of violence'
21:02 , Bryony GoochOutgoing chancellor Olaf Scholz took to X to share his condolences with the citizens of Mannheim after a car drove into a crowd, killing two people and injuring 10.
He said: “Once again we mourn with Mannheim. Once again we mourn with the relatives of the victims of a senseless act of violence and fear for those injured. We cannot accept this.
“I would like to thank all the emergency services from the bottom of my heart. I wish the eyewitnesses a lot of strength to process what they have experienced.”
Erneut trauern wir mit Mannheim. Erneut trauern wir mit den Angehörigen der Opfer einer sinnlosen Gewalttat und bangen um Verletzte. Damit können wir uns nicht abfinden. Allen Einsatzkräften danke ich von Herzen. Den Augenzeugen wünsche ich viel Kraft, das Erlebte zu verarbeiten.
— Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz (@Bundeskanzler) March 3, 2025
83-year-old woman and 54-year-old man killed
20:44 , Bryony GoochAndreas Stenger, from the state's criminal police office, told the press conference an 83-year-old woman and a 54-year-old man were killed.
He denied reports from earlier about children being among those in hospital.
Suspect charged with two counts of murder and multiple attempted murders
20:29 , Bryony GoochMannheim Chief Public Prosecutor Romeo Schluessler said: "We have initiated preliminary proceedings against the perpetrator for two counts of murder and multiple attempted murders” in a press conference on Monday.
Interior minister claims suspect has no 'extremist' background
20:21 , Bryony GoochGermany’s interior minister has confirmed there are no indications of extremist or religious background to car ramming incident in Mannheim.
Police have issued a warning against fake news following online speculation about the 40-year-old suspect’s identity and political believes.
Prosecutor says suspect in car incident may be 'psychologically unwell'
19:58 , Bryony GoochPolice and prosecutors said in a joint news conference that they believe the suspect in a car incident was “psychologically unwell” as he shot himself in the mouth when he was arrested and had to undergo medical treatment at a hospital. He is currently in stable condition.
They also said they believe he intentionally rammed his car into people. He is being investigated for murder and attempted murder but could not yet be questioned.
Germany's likely next chancellor says 'we must do everything we can to prevent such crimes'
19:39 , Bryony GoochFriedrich Merz, who will likely become Germany’s next chancellor said on X: “The crime in Mannheim has shocked us. My thoughts are with the victims and their families.
“The incident - like the terrible crimes of the past few months - is a stark reminder to us: we must do everything we can to prevent such crimes. I would like to thank all the emergency services who quickly helped. Germany must become a safe country again. We will work with all determination to achieve this.”
In pictures: Rose Monday in Germany
19:23 , Bryony GoochThe fatal incident took place as people were celebrating Rosenmontag (Rose Monday) – the culmination of the annual carnival season in Germany’s mainly Catholic western and southern regions.
The celebration features parades of floats that often include comical or satirical references to current affairs, with this year’s carnival including floats featuring figures such as Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Elon Musk and Volodymyr Zelensky.
Dressed in traditional jester costumes and sporting colourful makeup, thousands of partygoers danced through the streets of Cologne, Dusseldorf and other cities in western and southern Germany ahead of the fasting season of Lent.
Police deny any 'political background' following arrest
19:02 , Bryony GoochThere is no political background to the suspect at this current stage of investigation, police have said.
This comes as they warned against “fake news” and speculation about who the suspect is after photos supposedly identifying the 40-year-old suspect who was arrested at the scene.
Two people killed and 10 in hospital, say police
18:41 , Bryony GoochTwo people have been killed and 10 injured after a 40-year-old suspect drove a car into a group of people who were in the area of the Planken in Mannheim's city center around 12:15 p.m.
Five have been seriously injured, five only suffered minor injuries; all of them have been taken to hospital.
Police warn of 'fake news' in circulation about suspect
18:23 , Bryony GoochPolice in Mannheim have warned that ‘fake news’ is in circulation after they arrested a 40-year-old German man from a neighbouring state at the scene.
On social media, they said: “Rumors are currently circulating, including photos of identification documents that show the alleged suspect. This is NOT the actual suspect! We ask you not to share this false information any further!”
Interior Minister Thomas Strobl confirmed earlier that the main suspect was a 40-year-old man from Rhineland-Palatinate, a German state which Mannheim borders.
Two dead after car driven into pedestrians in German city Mannheim weeks after Munich attack
18:00 , Tom Watling
One dead after car driven into pedestrians in German city Mannheim weeks
Germany suffering from a string of car attacks
17:28 , Tom WatlingCars have been used as deadly weapons in several acts of violence in recent months in Germany.
Last month, a two-year-old girl and her mother died two days after they were injured in a car-ramming attack on a union demonstration in Munich.
A 24-year-old Afghan man who came to Germany as an asylum-seeker was arrested, and prosecutors said he appeared to have an Islamic extremist motive.
Last December, six people were killed and more than 200 injured when a car slammed into a Christmas market in the eastern city of Magdeburg.
The suspect, who was arrested, is a 50-year-old doctor originally from Saudi Arabia who had expressed anti-Muslim views and support for the far-right, anti-immigrant Alternative For Germany party.
In pictures: Black car destroyed after incident
17:02 , Tom Watling
Who is the attacker?
16:46 , Tom WatlingA 40-year-old man has been arrested in relation to today’s incident.
The German man is from the nearby state of Rhineland-Palatinate, according to Thomas Strobl, the state interior minister of Baden-Wurttemberg, where Mannheim is based.
Police spokesperson Stefan Wilhelm said he drove into people on Paradeplatz, a pedestrianised street, around noon, when workers arrived for lunch breaks.
Local media reported a carnival market was taking place, meaning more visitors than usual in Mannheim, which has a population of 326,000.
Death toll rises
16:24 , Sam RkainaThe death toll in Mannheim has risen to two after a driver rammed a car into a crowd.
Several other people have been injured in the incident, though police have yet to confirm how many or how severely.
One person has been arrested at the scene as authorities continue to investigate.
No second suspect or danger to the public, police say
16:08 , Andy GregoryThere is no evidence of a second suspect, Mannheim police have said in a new update.
The police investigation currently concerns a lone suspect who has already been arrested, the force said, adding: “There is currently no danger to the public.”
Three people being treated at Mannheim University Hospital, report says
15:56 , Andy GregoryMannheim University Hospital said they were treating three people involved in the incident – two adults and a child, news agency dpa reported.
It was not immediately clear whether other hospitals received patients.
Police have not yet said how many people have been injured in the incident.
Suspect is a 40-year-old German citizen, state interior minister says
15:49 , Andy GregoryThe suspect is a 40-year-old German citizen from the nearby state of Rhineland-Palatinate,the state interior minister of Baden-Württemberg – where the city of Mannheim is based – has told German news agency dpa.
Full report: One dead after car driven into pedestrians in Mannheim weeks after Munich attack
15:23 , Andy GregoryAt least one person was killed and several injured after a car rammed into a crowd on a busy shopping street in the German city of Mannheim, police said.
One person has been arrested following the incident on a pedestrianised street, where a market had been erected to mark the carnival season. Several people were seen lying on the ground and two casualties were helped by emergency workers, an eyewitness told Reuters.
My colleague Alex Croft has more details in this report:
One dead after car driven into pedestrians in German city Mannheim weeks
What attacks has Germany suffered in recent months?
14:57 , Andy GregoryWhile police have not yet said whether today’s fatal incident in Mannheim was a deliberate attack, Germany has suffered multiple attacks in recent months.
Just last month, a two-year-old girl and her mother died after they were injured in a car-ramming attack on a union demonstration in Munich. A 24-year-old Afghan man who came to Germany as an asylum-seeker was arrested.
In August, three people were killed and eight others injured in a knife attack in Solingen. The suspect is Syrian and suspected to be an Isis supporter.
Last year, six people were killed and more than 200 injured when a car slammed into a Christmas market in the eastern city of Magdeburg. The suspect, is a 50-year-old doctor originally from Saudi Arabia who had expressed anti-Muslim views and support for the far-right Alternative For Germany party.
And in Mannheim last May, a police officer was killed in a stabbing at an anti-Islam rally. The trial of an Afghan suspect began last month.
What is Rose Monday?
14:45 , Andy GregoryThe fatal incident took place as people in Germany were celebrating Rosenmontag (Rose Monday) – the culmination of the annual carnival season in Germany’s mainly Catholic western and southern regions.
The celebration features parades of floats that often include comical or satirical references to current affairs, with this year’s carnival including floats featuring figures such as Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Elon Musk and Volodymyr Zelensky.
Dressed in traditional jester costumes and sporting colourful makeup, thousands of partygoers danced through the streets of Cologne, Dusseldorf and other cities in western and southern Germany ahead of the fasting season of Lent.
Mapped: Car 'was driven from water tower to Paradeplatz'
14:24 , Andy Gregory
Heavily damaged vehicle pictured in Mannheim
14:14 , Andy Gregory
Police unable to say how many people injured
14:03 , Andy GregoryPolice spokesperson Stefan Wilhelm was quoted by Reuters as saying that “several” people were injured.
But police cannot yet specify how many people have been wounded, or how badly they are hurt.
Germany’s interior minister cancels her participation in Cologne street parade
13:53 , Andy GregoryGermany’s interior minister Nancy Faeser has cancelled her planned participation in a carnival street parade in Cologne due to the fatal incident in Mannheim.
“The focus is now on saving lives, treating the injured and the initial investigations by the authorities in Mannheim,” an interior ministry spokesperson told German news agency dpa.
Many people in Germany took a long weekend off to celebrate carnival, which includes Rose Monday – a day on which many cities hold parades.
Hospital implemented disaster plan
13:38 , Steffie BanatvalaMannheim University Hospital says it has prepared everything for a possible mass casualty incident, German news agency dpa reported.
The hospital has implemented its disaster and emergency plan to prepare for the care of the injured.
A total of eight trauma teams have been made available, both for adults and children, dpa reported.
Ambulances surround the 'life-threatening' scene
13:29 , Steffie BanatvalaPolice spokesperson Stefan Wilhelm said the incident had been reported as "a life-threatening deployment situation”.
'One perpetrator' arrested: police
13:26 , Steffie Banatvala"We can confirm that one perpetrator was arrested," police spokesperson Stefan Wilhelm said.
"We can't yet give information on whether there were further perpetrators."
Earlier, a spokesperson said the incident had been reported as "a life-threatening deployment situation."
Paradeplatz, a major square in the downtown area, lies at the end of a pedestrianised street in Mannheim.
Incident occurred at around 12.15pm local time: police
13:24 , Steffie BanatvalaPolice spokesperson Stefan Wilhelm told n-tv television that an "incident" occurred at around 12:15 pm local time in the Paradeplatz area of downtown Mannheim that triggered a large police deployment. He said he couldn't give details.
Police secures the scene after car rams into crowd in Mannheim
13:22 , Steffie Banatvala
German police confirm one person dead
13:21 , Steffie BanatvalaOne person was killed and others injured when a car rammed into a crowd Monday in western Germany, a police spokesperson said.
A suspect is in custody.
The incident happened in Mannheim, a small city south of Frankfurt
13:20 , Steffie BanatvalaPolice confirm large city centre operation
12:58 , Steffie BanatvalaA spokesperson for Mannheim police confirmed the police operation in Mannheim city.
Major law enforcement operation underway
12:55 , Steffie BanatvalaA major law enforcement operation is underway in German city of Mannheim, as public told to stay inside.
Police in the western German city of Mannheim have asked the public to stay away from the downtown area and keep inside their homes.
Mannheim is a city of about 300,000 people located south of Frankfurt.
Police would not disclose what prompted the large law enforcement presence in the city centre.
Two people killed and 10 in hospital, say police
21:14 , Bryony GoochTwo people have been killed and 10 injured after a 40-year-old suspect drove a car into a group of people who were in the area of the Planken in Mannheim's city center around 12:15 p.m.
Andreas Stenger, from the state's criminal police office, told the press conference an 83-year-old woman and a 54-year-old man were killed.
Five have been seriously injured, five only suffered minor injuries; all of them have been taken to hospital.
Mr Stenger denied reports from earlier about children being among those in hospital.
