At least two people have been killed and more than 20 others injured after a vehicle drove into a crowd in central Leipzig, prompting a major emergency response and ongoing police investigation.
Authorities said the incident occurred on Grimmaische Strasse, a busy pedestrian shopping area near Augustusplatz, on Monday afternoon. The driver reportedly struck multiple pedestrians before attempting to flee the scene but was later arrested by police.
Leipzig mayor Burkhard Jung confirmed the fatalities and expressed shock over the incident, extending condolences to the victims’ families.
Emergency services reported that at least 22 people sustained injuries, with two in serious condition. Large-scale rescue efforts were deployed, involving dozens of firefighters, paramedics and aerial support units.
Witnesses described scenes of panic as the vehicle moved at speed through the pedestrian zone, reportedly covering several hundred metres while hitting people along the way. Local reports identified the car as a Volkswagen SUV.
Police said the situation has been brought under control and there is no ongoing threat to the public. However, the motive behind the incident remains unclear as investigations continue.
The attack adds to growing concerns over public safety in crowded urban areas across Europe, with authorities expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident in the coming days.
