What we know so far about suspected car-ramming attack in Leipzig

Germany is reeling following the fatal incident in Leipzig on Monday, which authorities have described as a rampage.

A car, driven by a 33-year-old German man, rammed into a crowded street in Leipzig city centre at around 4.45pm on May 4th.

The vehicle came from Augustusplatz and drove across the market square through Grimmaische Straße, a busy pedestrian zone.

The vehicle struck several pedestrians. A 63-year-old woman and a 77-year-old man died, the public prosecutor’s office and Leipzig police said. 

Six other people aged between 21 and 87 were injured, two of them seriously.

More than 80 people also received care "due to the psychological impact of what they experienced," police said.

Eyewitnesses told broadcaster MDR that the white car was travelling at an estimated speed of around 70 to 80 kilometres per hour.

The areas around Thomaskirchhof and Grimmaische Straße remained cordoned off on Tuesday following the incident.

READ ALSO: Two dead in Leipzig after car ploughs into pedestrians

What is known about the driver?

According to police, the driver came to a halt and surrendered without resistance. He was arrested at the scene. 

"We apprehended the perpetrator inside the vehicle," said Police Chief René Demmler. 

The driver is a 33-year-old German national. Demmler said the man was born in Germany and lives in the Leipzig region.

According to DPA, the man was known to the police prior to the incident, though not for similar offences.

Other German media reported that the man is a boxing coach. He is reported to have been in a state of mental distress during the arrest. 

The police believe he acted alone. Following his arrest, they said there was no longer any danger to the public. 

The public prosecutor’s office and the Leipzig police headquarters are now investigating the man on charges including two counts of murder and multiple counts of attempted murder.

He was due to appear in court on Tuesday. 

Do we know anything about a possible motive?

That's still unclear but authorities believe the act was deliberate.

Leipzig Mayor Burkhard Jung (SPD) and Saxony’s Interior Minister Armin Schuster (CDU) have described the incident as an "Amokfahrt" which translates to rampage.

The public prosecutor’s office and police stated on Monday evening that various motives were being investigated.

Investigators do not believe the perpetrator had a political or religious motive.

Authorities confirmed on Tuesday that the suspect was treated in a specialist psychiatric hospital from April 17th to 29th, "due to his mental condition and with his consent", police and prosecutors said in a statement.

Regional health officials said in a separate statement to news agency AFP that during his stay at the hospital he did not present a danger to himself or others.

Newspaper WELT reported that investigators believed the incident could be linked to a domestic violence motive. 

A tip-off hotline (0341 966 46666) and an online reporting portal have been set up to assist with the investigation.

What's the reaction?

Saxony's Minister President Michael Kretschmer said the incident had shaken him to his core.

"My thoughts are with the victims and their families," he said, "I wish the injured strength and a speedy recovery. An act like this leaves us speechless – and it makes us determined."

Kretschmer said authorities would do everything in their power to find out why this happened. 

He added, "The rule of law will act with the utmost rigour."

Leipzig’s Mayor Jung said, "We are stunned by what has happened," adding that he lacked "the right words" to describe the incident. 

Jung and Schuster both thanked emergency services for their swift action at the scene. 

On Tuesday morning the city of Leipzig flew flags on public buildings at half-mast in respect and remembrance of the victims.

Flowers and candles have been laid at the Democracy Bell on Augustusplatz.

University student Dalyan Unland, 20, said he was "deeply affected by the fact that people died... in a place where I walk every day".

Lynn Sue Leiste said she had to muster all her courage to come and lay two white roses and a candle at a makeshift memorial at the church.

The 25-year-old said she had been "extremely worried" by the car-ramming, as her sister was in the street at the time.

The perpetrator of the rampage "must be locked up forever", she said, adding that "security measures really could have been strengthened".

A prayer for peace service was scheduled for 5pm on Tuesday at St Nicholas Church.

Similar incidents 

Germany has faced several car-ramming attacks in recent years, with some carried out by people who were found to have psychological problems.

The deadliest involved a Tunisian man with jihadist motives who ploughed a stolen truck through a Christmas market in Berlin in 2016, claiming 13 lives.

In 2024, a Christmas market in Magdeburg was targeted by a Saudi man, who drove a car into the crowd, killing six people and injuring more than 300.

There have also been similar attacks in Munich.

READ ALSO: Year after car attack, Magdeburg Christmas market to open this week

With reporting by AFP