Breaking: Car-ramming attack rocks Mannheim, Germany: 2 dead, 25 injured

A horrific car-ramming attack has struck the heart of Mannheim, Germany, this morning, leaving multiple casualties and plunging the city into chaos. As of now, details are pouring in from eyewitness accounts and social media, with emergency responders racing to the scene and police launching a massive operation in the city center.

Reports first emerged around 9:00 AM local time when a black SUV allegedly plowed into a crowd of pedestrians near the Wasserturm (water tower) and Paradeplatz areas, a bustling hub in downtown Mannheim. Witnesses described a vehicle speeding “from the parade ground towards the water tower,” striking people in its path, according to local outlet Mannheimer Morgen. Unverified videos circulating online show bystanders surrounding injured individuals on the street, with sirens blaring as police and medics swarm the area.

Mannheim police have confirmed a “major operation” is underway, urging residents to steer clear of the city center. “There is currently a police operation in Mannheim city center, around Wasserturm/Plankenkopf,” authorities stated, with heavily armed officers reportedly blocking bridges to nearby Ludwigshafen. The intensive care unit at Mannheim University Hospital has declared a state of emergency, bracing for an influx of victims.

Casualty numbers remain unconfirmed, but early reports suggest “several seriously injured.”

This attack comes amid heightened security concerns in Germany. Just weeks ago, on February 13, a car-ramming in Munich killed a mother and her toddler, injuring 37 others. The December 20, 2024, Magdeburg Christmas market attack left 6 dead and 299 wounded, and a May 2024 stabbing in Mannheim claimed a policeman’s life. With national elections looming on February 23, tensions over crime and immigration are already boiling, and this incident could ignite further debate.

For now, Mannheim reels. Emergency services are in overdrive, and the city holds its breath as authorities piece together this unfolding tragedy.