It has now been confirmed that at least two people were killed and 15 injured in the southern German city of Mannheim after yet another car ramming attack. This comes less than a week after Islamists called for terror attacks across the country during this year’s carnival season.
Apart from multiple stabbings, there had been two other incidents involving Islamists who drove their cars into crowds in just the last few months: the Magdeburg Christmas market attack on December 20th (killing six and injuring hundreds), and the more recent car attack in Munich on February 13th, which killed two and left dozens wounded.
The fear of Islamist terrorism, it seems, has become a permanent feature of life in Germany.
A black SUV drove at high speed into a crowd of people on Monday, March 3rd, travelling from the centrally located Paradeplatz square towards the city’s landmark water tower.
Local police said a police operation was under way in the city centre. They have asked the public to keep away from the downtown area and stay inside their homes.
The attack happened as festivalgoers all across Germany are gathering for parades to mark the carnival season.
The suspect, a 40-year-old German citizen, has been arrested. It has not been confirmed whether he is of a migrant background.
Surveillance camera footage has emerged that shows the car racing through a street.
Eine Überwachungskamera zeigt den Täter, wie er mit hoher Geschwindigkeit durch die Fußgängerzone rast. #Mannheim pic.twitter.com/RYXviXMWpq
— JUNGE FREIHEIT (@Junge_Freiheit) March 3, 2025
The traditional German carnival season commenced last week, and, as we reported, Islamists suspected of belonging to the Islamic State (ISIS) terror group used social media platforms to call for attacks on festivalgoers.
Even while the police beefed up security in major cities, some politicians advised people to put aside their concerns and “enjoy the festive days.”
The Bavarian capital Munich was the site of an earlier car ramming attack, where two people were killed and dozens injured by an Afghan failed asylum seeker.
Mannheim itself suffered a terrorist assault last summer, when another Afghan killed a policeman and injured five other people at an anti-Islamism rally.
Security has been a key concern in Germany following a string of violent attacks committed by migrants in recent months. The issue propelled the anti-immigration Alternative für Deutschland party to second place at the national elections a week ago.
Despite tough rhetoric by the likely next chancellor, Friedrich Merz to stop illegal immigration into the country, his party, the CDU’s upcoming coalition deal with the Social Democrats will mark the continuation of pro-migration policies.
