Car hits pedestrians in German city of Trier

At least two people have been killed and 15 injured after a car drove into pedestrians in a suspected attack in the German city of Trier. 

A 51-year-old German man was arrested on Tuesday afternoon after a car drove into a pedestrian area near the city’s main market.

A witness told local paper Trierische Volksfreund that a dark grey Range Rover had driven at high speed into crowds, sending some people ‘flying into the air’. 

Trier mayor Wolfram Leibe told regional broadcaster SWR that the driver had gone on ‘a rampage’ that had caused at least two deaths and 15 injuries, but police said his motive was unknown. 

Leibe said some of the injured people were seriously hurt and were being taken to hospital, saying he was hoping for their survival.  

The car was stopped and the driver arrested, police said, before urging people to avoid the area, while the mayor said evidence was being secured at the scene. 

Pictures published by German media appeared to show a person being pinned to the ground next to a damaged car after the incident. 

Police spokesman Uwe Konz said that it remained unclear what exactly happened, saying ‘the background (to the incident) still needs to be clarified’. 

Officers warned people to avoid the scene, and said they are on the scene alongside ambulance crews, while helicopters were also hovering over the city.  

Footage showed police vans and other emergency vehicles parked on a wide shopping street in Trier, a large section of which appeared to have been cleared.

Shoppers were seen huddling outside stores festooned with Christmas decorations, while sirens could be heard in the distance.

While Trier is usually home to one of Germany’s most popular Christmas markets, the event was cancelled this year because of the pandemic. 

More to follow…