Car Attack on Pedestrians in Trier, Germany Kills 5 and Injures 15

A vehicle entered the car-free central zone of the city of Trier, Germany, and struck several pedestrians. According to the latest reports, five people have been killed and at least 15 others have been injured. The attack was not terrorist-related, and the assailant suffered from mental health issues.

Trier police announced on Twitter on Tuesday, December 1st (Azar 10) that one person has been arrested. In initial reports, police mentioned one dead and two injured. Police said they have seized the attacker’s vehicle. In subsequent reports, at least two deaths were confirmed, one of whom was a child. According to the latest reports, five people have been killed and at least 15 others have been injured in this incident.

According to police and eyewitnesses, the attacker drove approximately 900 meters through the car-free zone in a zigzag pattern at high speed to hit as many people as possible. He struck people and threw them into the air. Ambulances and rescue personnel rushed to the scene from across the region.

According to police, the attacker resisted arrest. He is a 51-year-old German man residing in the Trier-Zahlbach area on the outskirts of Trier. Based on police assessment, the man acted alone.

The senior public prosecutor in Trier said charges will be filed against the attacker for five counts of murder, multiple counts of attempted murder, and several counts of dangerous bodily harm. The attacker reportedly used the vehicle as a weapon.

Police arrested the attacker four minutes after receiving the initial report. Upon interrogation, they discovered the man was intoxicated. Police suspect signs of mental disorder in the man. Police have asked the public to provide any photos or videos of the attack scene to police and judicial authorities.

According to the Catholic news agency report, the man entered the car-free zone from the direction of Constantine’s Church, drove at high speed toward Porta Nigra, and recklessly drove into the crowd of pedestrians.

Southwest German television network (SWR), citing Wolfram Leibe, mayor of Trier, reported that at least two people have been killed and ten others injured. A police spokesperson mentioned several injured.

A reporter from the newspaper “Trierer Volksfreund” reported that the SUV driver left devastation in the central marketplace, with all sales tables overturned.

Helicopters are circling above the city located in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. Schools in the central area of the city have been notified of the incident. At Ausonius Primary School, all students were required to remain at school on Tuesday afternoon. Parents were informed that a person had driven a vehicle into the crowd in the central marketplace, and no student should leave for home without accompaniment.

After announcing it had seized the attacker’s vehicle, police advised Trier residents to avoid entering the central marketplace area as a precaution. A large number of police and rescue personnel are visible in this area.

Wolfram Leibe, mayor of Trier, described the scene of violence as horrifying after witnessing it. He said he saw a child’s shoe in the marketplace. With tearful eyes, he added: “This little girl lost her life.” Police also confirmed the death of a child.

Eyewitnesses reported people being thrown into the air after being struck by the vehicle.

Stefan Seibert, spokesman for the German government, expressed deep regret on Twitter and announced the German government’s sympathy for all relatives of the deceased and injured, and solidarity with all those involved in rescue operations assisting affected citizens.

Malu Dreyer, minister-president of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, and Roger Lewentz, interior minister of the state (both from the Social Democratic Party), traveled to the city. Ms. Dreyer expressed deep sorrow and shock at the incident in her native city, offered condolences to the families of the deceased, and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

After announcing the all-clear, police said a press conference would be held at Trier City Hall on Tuesday evening.

Source: DW