A car drove into a crowd in the western German city of Mannheim on Monday, resulting in the deaths of two people and injuries to 11 others. The incident overshadowed ongoing carnival festivities in the region, where security had already been heightened due to concerns over potential attacks.
Authorities detained the driver, who appeared to have deliberately accelerated into the crowd, according to prosecutors. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser described the event as “horror in broad daylight.”
Investigators stated that there were no indications of political or religious motives behind the attack. However, there is reason to believe the suspect, a 40-year-old German man from Rhineland-Palatinate, may have been psychologically unwell, said Mannheim Chief Public Prosecutor Romeo Schluessler.
The suspect faces charges of two counts of murder and multiple counts of attempted murder. He has not yet been questioned, as he required medical attention after shooting himself in the mouth with a blank-firing gun following the incident. Prosecutors revealed that he worked as a landscape gardener and lived alone, with authorities now searching his residence for further clues.
Germany has been on high alert following a series of violent incidents in recent months, including car attacks in Magdeburg in December and Munich in February, as well as a stabbing in Mannheim in May 2024.
Friedrich Merz, who is expected to become Germany’s next leader following last month’s national elections, stressed the importance of preventing such acts. “This tragic event, like others in recent months, reminds us that we must do everything possible to enhance security. Germany must once again become a safe country, and we will work with full determination to achieve this,” he said.
Expressions of solidarity poured in from across Europe. French President Emmanuel Macron conveyed his support, stating, “To the people of Mannheim, especially the families of the victims, France stands with you.” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reaffirmed her stance against threats to democratic nations, asserting that such attempts would not succeed.
The victims of the attack were identified as an 83-year-old woman and a 54-year-old man.
The incident occurred on Rose Monday, the climax of Germany’s carnival season, widely celebrated in the country’s Catholic regions with parades and satirical floats. This year’s carnival featured floats referencing figures such as U.S. President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky.
Despite heightened concerns, thousands of revelers in Cologne, Dusseldorf, and other cities participated in the festivities, dressed in traditional jester costumes and colorful makeup, marking the occasion ahead of the Lenten fasting season.
