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Multiple injuries reported following a collision in a western German city, with one suspect detained, according to a police statement.
minimum of one fatality and numerous injuries have been reported after a vehicle struck a crowd in Mannheim, a city in western Germany, with authorities instructing the public to steer clear of the central area.
Police spokesperson Stefan Wilhelm stated that a driver on Monday evening crashed into a crowd gathered in Paradeplatz, a pedestrian zone in Mannheim.
He further mentioned that “multiple” individuals are injured, though the precise number and severity were yet to be ascertained.
“We can confirm the apprehension of one individual responsible,” Wilhelm said. “Information regarding additional perpetrators is currently unavailable.”
A journalist covering the incident for German news channel NTV reported that “at least one individual is lying covered under a tarpaulin,” and children’s footwear was scattered among debris on the ground.
Located at the end of a pedestrian street, Paradeplatz is a key square in Mannheim’s downtown area, which boasts a population of 326,000 and is situated 85km (52 miles) south of Frankfurt.
Mannheim University Hospital confirmed they are prepared to handle a potential mass casualty incident, according to the German news agency dpa. The hospital activated its emergency response plan to accommodate the injured.
Local authorities have issued an alert through the Katwarn app, advising individuals in Mannheim to avoid the city center due to a significant police presence. Katwarn is employed by officials to disseminate crucial information concerning major emergencies like storms, attacks, or fires.
This incident occurred a day after Mannheim’s street parade, an event part of Germany’s carnival celebrations. Many individuals have taken a long weekend to partake in carnival festivities, including Rose Monday, when numerous cities host parades.
Nonetheless, authorities were on high alert, as Monday marks one of the principal days of traditional carnival celebrations preceding Lent.
Germany has recently witnessed several violent attacks, including stabbing rampages and car-ramming incidents, some attributed to asylum seekers.
Last month, a man in Munich drove into a trade union demonstration, claiming the lives of a two-year-old girl and her mother.
In December, a car-ramming attack at a Christmas market in Magdeburg resulted in the deaths of six people and left hundreds injured.
Mannheim was also the site of a stabbing attack during an anti-Islam rally in May, resulting in the death of a police officer and five others injured.
Before Monday’s incident in Mannheim, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser stated, “Celebrations are occurring with high security measures in place.”
Faeser has canceled her attendance at the Rose Monday parade in Cologne to travel to Mannheim.
Police spokesperson Stefan Wilhelm stated that a driver on Monday evening crashed into a crowd gathered in Paradeplatz, a pedestrian zone in Mannheim.
He further mentioned that “multiple” individuals are injured, though the precise number and severity were yet to be ascertained.
“We can confirm the apprehension of one individual responsible,” Wilhelm said. “Information regarding additional perpetrators is currently unavailable.”
A journalist covering the incident for German news channel NTV reported that “at least one individual is lying covered under a tarpaulin,” and children’s footwear was scattered among debris on the ground.
Located at the end of a pedestrian street, Paradeplatz is a key square in Mannheim’s downtown area, which boasts a population of 326,000 and is situated 85km (52 miles) south of Frankfurt.
Mannheim University Hospital confirmed they are prepared to handle a potential mass casualty incident, according to the German news agency dpa. The hospital activated its emergency response plan to accommodate the injured.
Local authorities have issued an alert through the Katwarn app, advising individuals in Mannheim to avoid the city center due to a significant police presence. Katwarn is employed by officials to disseminate crucial information concerning major emergencies like storms, attacks, or fires.
This incident occurred a day after Mannheim’s street parade, an event part of Germany’s carnival celebrations. Many individuals have taken a long weekend to partake in carnival festivities, including Rose Monday, when numerous cities host parades.
Nonetheless, authorities were on high alert, as Monday marks one of the principal days of traditional carnival celebrations preceding Lent.
Germany has recently witnessed several violent attacks, including stabbing rampages and car-ramming incidents, some attributed to asylum seekers.
Last month, a man in Munich drove into a trade union demonstration, claiming the lives of a two-year-old girl and her mother.
In December, a car-ramming attack at a Christmas market in Magdeburg resulted in the deaths of six people and left hundreds injured.
Mannheim was also the site of a stabbing attack during an anti-Islam rally in May, resulting in the death of a police officer and five others injured.
Before Monday’s incident in Mannheim, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser stated, “Celebrations are occurring with high security measures in place.”
Faeser has canceled her attendance at the Rose Monday parade in Cologne to travel to Mannheim.
