Tragic Incident in Mannheim: One Fatality as Car Plows Into Crowd, Authorities Report

CNN — A serious incident occurred in Mannheim, Germany on Monday when a car crashed into pedestrians, resulting in at least one death and several injuries, according to local police.

The crash took place shortly after noon. Stefan Wilhelm, a police spokesperson, confirmed that a suspect has been arrested. In response, Germany’s federal government issued an “extreme danger” warning, leading to a large police operation in the area.

Mikla Cela, who works at a restaurant nearby, witnessed the event. He saw a black car speeding by and then heard screams. He later saw a man in a white jacket on the ground.

Ferry Overdevest, a flower shop owner in central Mannheim, noted that around 30 people took shelter in his store while emergency services responded outside.

Mannheim University Hospital reported that three of the injured individuals, including a child, are undergoing urgent care. The police have not disclosed the total number of those hurt in this incident.

This event is part of a troubling trend in Germany, which has seen a rise in car ramming attacks recently. Authorities have not yet confirmed if this incident was deliberate.

In December, a car drove into a Christmas market in Magdeburg, killing six people, including a child. The attacker was a 50-year-old Saudi citizen who had been living in Germany for many years.

In February, another tragedy struck in Munich when a driver hit demonstrators with a Mini Cooper, resulting in the death of a mother and her child and injuring over 30 others. The perpetrator was a 24-year-old Afghan man.

This latest attack occurred on “Rose Monday,” a day of celebration leading up to Lent. Security was already tightened for the festivities, and some police forces have increased their presence further in response to the incident.