Two people have been killed and more than 20 others injured after a car drove into a crowd in the eastern German city of Leipzig on Monday afternoon, authorities have confirmed.
The incident occurred in the busy Grimmaische Straße area, a central shopping district, when a vehicle was driven at high speed through pedestrians before eventually coming to a stop.
Casualties and Arrest
Officials said 22 people were injured, with three in serious condition, while two victims a 63-year-old woman and a 77-year-old man later died from their injuries.
Leipzig Mayor Burkhard Jung described the incident as a “horrific rampage”, adding:
“We are utterly stunned by what has happened… It is impossible to find the right words to describe this.”
Authorities confirmed that a 33-year-old German man was arrested at the scene. Investigators have begun a murder inquiry, though officials say no clear motive has yet been established.
How the Incident Unfolded
According to police, the vehicle moved across Augustusplatz into Grimmaische Straße, striking multiple pedestrians along the route.
Police spokesperson Susanne Luebcke said:
“A person drove a vehicle across Augustusplatz into Grimmaische Street… Several people were injured… Unfortunately, we also have to report two fatalities.”
Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as the car sped through the crowded area.
One witness said:
“We heard a loud bang… the driver was going really fast.”
Another recounted how passers-by rushed to assist the injured, while others attempted to restrain the driver before police arrived.
Mental Health Angle Under Investigation
The head of Saxony state, Michael Kretschmer, revealed that the suspect had a history of mental illness.
Prosecutors said there is currently no indication of a political or religious motive, and early findings suggest the attack may have been carried out by a lone individual.
Emergency Response and Public Safety
Emergency services quickly secured the area, with ambulances and police units responding within minutes.
Authorities have reassured the public that:
“There are currently no indications that there is still a threat to public safety.”
Pattern of Similar Attacks
The incident adds to a series of car-ramming attacks in Germany in recent years.
- In 2024, a Christmas market attack in Magdeburg left several people dead and hundreds injured.
- In Munich, a similar incident injured dozens just weeks before national elections last year.
Such attacks have heightened concerns about urban security and crowd protection across major German cities.
Ongoing Investigation
Prosecutors are continuing their investigation into murder and attempted murder, as authorities work to determine what led to the deadly incident.
For now, Leipzig remains in shock, with officials urging calm as the city mourns the victims of what has been described as a senseless act of violence.
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