Car plows into crowd in Mannheim, killing two and injuring 11

MANNHEIM, Germany. A tragic incident unfolded in the western German city of Mannheim on Monday, March 3, when a car rammed into a crowd, killing two people and injuring 11 others. The attack overshadowed the ongoing carnival celebrations in the region, where police had already been on alert for potential threats.

Authorities swiftly detained the driver, who appeared to have deliberately driven into the crowd based on his speed and trajectory. “Horror in broad daylight,” German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser described the incident, emphasizing the alarming nature of the attack.

Suspect Identified, Investigation Underway

Mannheim Chief Public Prosecutor Romeo Schluessler stated that while the suspect’s actions did not seem politically or religiously motivated, there was reason to believe he was psychologically unwell. Investigators have since launched legal proceedings against the suspect, a 40-year-old German man from Rhineland-Palatinate, on charges of two counts of murder and multiple counts of attempted murder.

Authorities revealed that the suspect, believed to be a landscape gardener living alone, had not yet been questioned. After the attack, he shot himself in the mouth with a blank-firing gun and required immediate medical treatment. Investigators have begun searching his home for possible clues regarding his motives.

Security Concerns Amid Recent Attacks

Germany has faced a string of violent incidents in recent months, increasing concerns over public safety. The Mannheim attack follows deadly car rammings in Magdeburg in December and Munich in February, as well as a fatal stabbing in Mannheim in May 2024.

Friedrich Merz, Germany’s likely next leader, condemned the attack and stressed the urgency of preventing future violence. “The incident—like the terrible acts of the past months—serves as a stark reminder: we must do everything possible to prevent such acts,” Merz stated. “Germany must once again become a safe country. We will work with full determination to achieve this.”

Global Reactions and Messages of Solidarity

Leaders from across Europe expressed condolences and solidarity with the victims. French President Emmanuel Macron posted on X (formerly Twitter): “To all the people of Mannheim, especially to all the relatives of the victims of the attack, to the German people. France is at your side.”

Meanwhile, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated that “attempts to destabilize democratic nations will not prevail.”

Victims Identified

The two deceased victims were identified as an 83-year-old woman and a 54-year-old man. Authorities continue to monitor the condition of the 11 injured individuals, some of whom remain in critical condition.

Carnival Celebrations on High Alert

This year’s carnival parades had already placed German authorities on high alert due to online threats linked to the Islamic State (IS) militant group. The group had reportedly called for attacks on carnival events in Cologne and Nuremberg. However, Baden-Württemberg’s Interior Minister Thomas Strobl clarified that there was no evidence linking Monday’s incident to the carnival celebrations.

Mannheim held its main carnival event on Sunday, while Monday’s festivities—known as “Rose Monday”—featured major parades and satirical floats across Cologne, Düsseldorf, and other cities. This year’s floats included references to global figures such as U.S. President Joe Biden, Russian President Vladimir Putin, tech mogul Elon Musk, and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

Despite the tragedy, thousands of revelers continued to celebrate in colorful jester costumes, dancing through the streets ahead of the Lenten fasting season.

Authorities have assured the public that security measures remain heightened in the wake of this shocking attack as investigations continue.