Two killed, 20 injured as car plows into crowd in Leipzig
Driver arrested after deadly crowd incident in German City center; Germany on alert as crash sparks murder investigation
At least two people were killed and around 20 others injured after a car drove into a crowd in the eastern German city of Leipzig, authorities said.
Police confirmed that a 33-year-old German suspect was arrested at the scene after the vehicle came to a stop, adding that there was no further danger to the public.
The incident took place in the city center near St Nicholas Church Leipzig and the University of Leipzig. Authorities sealed off Grimmaische Street, a busy shopping area linking the landmarks to the city’s market square.
Emergency services, including ambulances, fire crews and a helicopter, were deployed to the scene. Three of the injured were reported to be in serious condition.
Prosecutors have launched an investigation on suspicion of two counts of murder and multiple counts of attempted murder, while police said the motive remains unclear.
A support center for victims and witnesses has been set up at the nearby Gewandhaus concert hall, with officials urging eyewitnesses to come forward.
Leipzig Mayor Burkhard Jung expressed shock over the incident and extended condolences to the victims’ families, stating that the area had been secured.
Meanwhile, Saxony’s state premier Michael Kretschmer condemned what he described as a “suspected rampage,” pledging a thorough investigation.
Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the incident was deliberate, but it comes amid heightened concern in Germany following a series of vehicle-ramming attacks in recent years.
