Two people are dead and at least 20 others injured after a car plowed into a crowded pedestrian area in the German city of Leipzig on Monday afternoon. The incident occurred in the city center, sending shockwaves through the community.
Details of the Incident
A grey SUV, reported by local newspaper Leipziger Volkszeitung to be a VW Taigo, turned into the pedestrian zone at Augustusplatz, near Grimmaische Strasse, which leads to the main shopping district. The vehicle then sped through the area before being apprehended by police. The driver was taken into custody, according to Sachsen Police.
Leipzig's mayor, Burkhard Jung, confirmed that two people were killed. Officials added that two others are seriously injured, with 20 additional casualties. Emergency services declared a mass casualty incident as the situation unfolded, and a large number of police officers were deployed to the scene.
Official Response
Mayor Jung expressed his devastation at the scene, stating: 'We are devastated. All I can do right now is express my solidarity with the victims' families. Everything else will now depend on the work of the police and investigating authorities.' He also noted that authorities do not yet know anything about the alleged driver or their motivation.
Leipzig, located southwest of Berlin, is one of the largest cities in eastern Germany with over 630,000 inhabitants. The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to determine the circumstances surrounding the attack.
