This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-43683687

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
Three dead in Germany as van ploughs into crowd in Muenster Two killed in Germany as van ploughs into crowd in Muenster
(35 minutes later)
Three people have been killed in the western German city of Muenster after a van drove into people sitting outside popular restaurants. Two people have been killed in the western German city of Muenster after a van drove into people sitting outside popular restaurants.
The driver of the vehicle died after shooting himself, police said. They are not looking for more suspects. The driver of the vehicle, who has not yet been officially identified, died after shooting himself at the scene.
About 20 people are reported injured in the incident, which occurred near the Kiepenkerl statue in the old town. Six are said to be in a serious condition. About 20 people were injured in the incident, six seriously, which occurred near the Kiepenkerl statue in the city's old town area.
Police have closed the area and asked people to avoid the city centre. Authorities have said there is no indication it is an Islamist attack.
"The perpetrator drove into several cafe and restaurant terraces in a major square in the centre of Muenster," police spokeswoman Vanessa Arlt told the AFP news agency. State Interior Minister Herbet Reuel said investigators currently believe the perpetrator is a German citizen.
Another police spokesman, Andreas Bode, said it was still too early to declare the incident an attack and could not confirm the suspect's identity. German media has reported that the driver may be a German national with mental health problems. Mr Reuel also said that two people had been killed by the driver, revising an earlier police figure of three.
Authorities also said a suspicious object was found in the van but did not specify what it was. What is known about incident?
The Kiepenkerl statue is located in a popular pedestrian area in the middle of the historic old town. There are traditional inns and restaurants in the vicinity with outdoor seating. A vehicle, reportedly a grey VW van, was driven into a restaurant terrace area at 15:00 local time (14:00 BST) on Saturday.
Photographs posted on social media showed tables and chairs strewn outside the Grosser Kiepenkerl restaurant, which is popular with tourists. Eyewitnesses said it was driven at speed and photographs of the aftermath showed tables and chairs strewn across the popular tourist square.
An employee at one of the cafes told local media that she heard a bang and people screaming.
"I'm angry - it's cowardly to do something like this," she told German television channel N24.
The suspect's motive and exact identity still remains unclear, but German media reported he was a national with mental health problems.
An apartment elsewhere in the city has been searched by investigators.
Daniel Kollenberg, who witnessed the aftermath, told the BBC: "I think it is a deliberate attack because it's not allowed for cars to go in this area."Daniel Kollenberg, who witnessed the aftermath, told the BBC: "I think it is a deliberate attack because it's not allowed for cars to go in this area."
He said, "People are calm, but really shocked," adding that people were scared and disbelieving that such an attack could happen in Muenster.He said, "People are calm, but really shocked," adding that people were scared and disbelieving that such an attack could happen in Muenster.
The city, in Germany's north west, has a population of about 300,000.
Ulrike Demmer, the federal government's deputy spokesperson, said the government's thoughts were with the victims and their families.Ulrike Demmer, the federal government's deputy spokesperson, said the government's thoughts were with the victims and their families.
Misinformation fears
The incident comes at a time of a heightened concern in Europe, following a spate of jihadist attacks using vehicles to kill pedestrians in the UK, France and Sweden.The incident comes at a time of a heightened concern in Europe, following a spate of jihadist attacks using vehicles to kill pedestrians in the UK, France and Sweden.
In December 2016, a lorry ploughed into a crowd at a Christmas market in the German capital, Berlin, killing 12 people. Local police repeatedly urged people on Saturday afternoon not to speculate about the nature of the incident and wait for official information.
Anis Amri, a Tunisian asylum seeker who had hijacked the lorry, was shot and killed in Italy four days after a Europe-wide manhunt. Mr Reuel hit out at misinformation being spread online, claiming a refugee was responsible.
Germany has seen a number of jihadist attacks in recent years. In December 2016 a lorry was driven into a crowd at a Christmas market in the capital, Berlin.
The attacker who hijacked the vehicle, Tunisian asylum seeker Anis Amri, was shot dead in Italy four days later.
Did you witness this incident? If it is safe to do so, please share your experience with us by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Did you witness this incident? If it is safe to do so, please share your experience with us by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
Or comment here:Or comment here: