At least six people have been injured, one of them critically, after a car mounted the pavement and drove into a crowd in central Berlin on Wednesday evening.
Authorities say the vehicle, described as speeding out of control, rammed into pedestrians near a busy area of the capital, prompting a mass emergency response.
The incident occurred at around 8pm local time, with one victim becoming trapped under the vehicle. The individual was later rescued and is now being treated for life-threatening injuries in hospital.
Emergency Services Respond Swiftly
The Berlin Fire Department confirmed that the alarm was raised under the “mass casualty incident” protocol. A large emergency presence was deployed to the scene, including 60 firefighters, 22 emergency vehicles, and a rescue helicopter.
Images from the scene show cordoned-off streets, emergency responders attending to victims, and a heavy police presence. The area remains closed off as investigators continue to gather evidence.
Accident or Attack?
At this stage, police have not confirmed whether the collision was accidental or intentional. The driver was taken into custody and is currently being questioned by authorities.
“We cannot confirm the motive at this time,” said a Berlin police spokesperson. “An investigation is underway, and we are examining all possibilities.”
Context: A Spate of Similar Incidents
This is the third such incident in Germany in recent weeks. Just two weeks ago, a car ploughed through crowds in Mannheim, killing two people and injuring 14 others. And in February, a mother and her two-year-old daughter were killed in Munich in what was described as a suspected Islamist attack.
Those recent events have stirred national debate over public safety, terrorism, and the increasing number of vehicle-based attacks in Germany.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities are appealing for witnesses and video footage of the Berlin incident as they work to determine how and why the car veered into pedestrians.
Further details about the victims and the driver are expected to be released as the investigation progresses.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Berlin police or local emergency hotlines. Updates will follow as more details are confirmed.
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