Several people have been injured, with some in serious condition, after a car drove at high speed into a crowd in Germany.
The incident happened at about 12.15pm in the pedestrian zone of Galeria Kaufhof, in the city centre of Mannheim.
Local media has reported that at least one person was killed, but police are yet to confirm this.
An eyewitness also said two victims were apparently being resuscitated at the scene.
People have been urged to avoid the entire centre, particularly downtown Mannheim, and take a ‘wide detour’ as police operate at the scene.
Germany’ s Ministry of Interior also pushed a warning for ‘extreme danger’ to citizens, telling them this is a ‘life-threatening situation’.
A map showing where the warning for ‘extreme danger’ is in effect
It has not been confirmed if this was a targeted attack or an accident, but it comes as Mannheim, along other German cities, is holding its traditional carnival market.
All roads and bridges leading out of the city are being checked by police with submachine guns, and a helicopter is circling over.
Police spokesperson Stefan Wilhelm told German broadcaster n-TV that authorities had no information on a suspect and could not confirm reports of casualties at this stage.
Unconfirmed footage circulating on social media shows victims lying on the street.
This comes just weeks after two people were killed in a car ramming in Munich.
Police said there is currently a large-scale operation, particularly in the area around Wasserturm and Plankenkopf.
Emergency services and police stand at Paradeplatz in Mannheim (Picture: AP)
A statement added: ‘Further information is not yet available. In this context, there may be temporary traffic disruptions in the city center.’
A man whose daughter has taken shelter in a flower shop nearby the scene of the suspected attack told Metro that at least 15 people rushed inside as the incident unfolded.
He said: ‘She is currently in a flower store with around 15 other people in safety…
‘There are a lot of emergency services on the way and people are being asked to move away from the streets and get to safety.’
In a later update, he said police had asked her to leave the store, adding: ‘Everything is cordoned off in the centre and a police helicopter is monitoring the situation from the air.’
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