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Two killed in Germany as van ploughs into crowd in Muenster | Two killed in Germany as van ploughs into crowd in Muenster |
(2 months later) | |
Two people have been killed in the western German city of Muenster after a van drove into people sitting outside restaurants. | Two people have been killed in the western German city of Muenster after a van drove into people sitting outside restaurants. |
The driver of the vehicle, who has not yet been officially identified, died after shooting himself at the scene. | The driver of the vehicle, who has not yet been officially identified, died after shooting himself at the scene. |
About 20 people were injured in the incident, six seriously, which occurred near the Kiepenkerl statue in the city's old town area. | About 20 people were injured in the incident, six seriously, which occurred near the Kiepenkerl statue in the city's old town area. |
Authorities have said there is no indication it is an Islamist attack. | Authorities have said there is no indication it is an Islamist attack. |
State Interior Minister Herbet Reuel said investigators currently believe the perpetrator is a German citizen. | State Interior Minister Herbet Reuel said investigators currently believe the perpetrator is a German citizen. |
Mr Reuel also said that two people had been killed by the driver, revising an earlier police figure of three. | Mr Reuel also said that two people had been killed by the driver, revising an earlier police figure of three. |
What is known about incident? | What is known about incident? |
A vehicle, reportedly a grey VW van, was driven into a restaurant terrace area at 15:27 local time (14:27 BST) on Saturday. | A vehicle, reportedly a grey VW van, was driven into a restaurant terrace area at 15:27 local time (14:27 BST) on Saturday. |
Eyewitnesses said it was driven at speed and photographs of the aftermath showed tables and chairs strewn across the popular tourist square. | 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. | 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. | "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. | 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. | 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. | The city, in Germany's north west, has a population of about 300,000. |
Chancellor Angela Merkel said in a statement she was "deeply shaken" by the incident. | Chancellor Angela Merkel said in a statement she was "deeply shaken" by the incident. |
"Everything possible is now being done to clarify the facts and to support the victims and their relatives," she added. | "Everything possible is now being done to clarify the facts and to support the victims and their relatives," she added. |
Misinformation fears | 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. |
Local police repeatedly urged people on Saturday afternoon not to speculate about the nature of the incident and wait for official information. | Local police repeatedly urged people on Saturday afternoon not to speculate about the nature of the incident and wait for official information. |
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. | 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. | The attacker who hijacked the vehicle, Tunisian asylum seeker Anis Amri, was shot dead in Italy four days later. |