This article is from the source 'guardian' 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.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/07/several-dead-after-vehicle-drives-into-crowd-in-munster-germany

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Four dead after vehicle drives into crowd in Münster, Germany At least three dead after vehicle driven into crowd in Münster, Germany
(35 minutes later)
Four people are dead and 20 injured after a vehicle drove into a crowd in the western German city of Münster. Three people are dead and 20 injured after a vehicle drove into a crowd in the western German city of Münster.
A police spokeswoman said that the driver had shot himself inside the camper van after driving into the crowd who had been basking in the sunshine outside a restaurant in the town’s historic centre on Saturday afternoon. A police spokeswoman said that the driver had shot himself inside the Volkswagen camper van after driving into the crowd who had been basking in the sunshine outside a restaurant in the town’s historic centre on Saturday afternoon.
Germany’s interior ministry confirmed that four people had died in the incident, including the driver. Herbert Reul, interior minister of North-Rhine Westphalia, confirmed the driver of the vehicle was a German citizen. “There is currently no indication of an Islamist background,” said Reul.
Six of the 20 people struck by the car are severely injured, a police spokesperson said. Police told German news channel NTV they had investigated claims that two people had fled from inside the car following the crash, and were not looking for further suspects. Six of the 20 people struck by the car are severely injured, a police spokesperson said. Police were not looking for further suspects.
The spokesperson confirmed that a suspicious object had been found inside the car. German media reported that authorities had found a package with wires inside the vehicle. Buildings in the direct vicinity of the incident were evacuated.The spokesperson confirmed that a suspicious object had been found inside the car. German media reported that authorities had found a package with wires inside the vehicle. Buildings in the direct vicinity of the incident were evacuated.
German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung reported on Saturday evening that the driver was believed to be a German citizen with a history of mental health issues, born in 1969 and named as Jens R. The man’s apartment in the region was being searched, but the incident was currently not believed to have a terrorist background, the paper said. German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung reported on Saturday evening that the driver was believed to be a German citizen with a history of mental health issues, born in 1969.
Herbert Reul, interior minister of North-Rhine Westphalia, confirmed the driver of the vehicle was a German citizen. “There is currently no indication of an Islamist background”, said Reul.
Police said they could neither nor confirm nor deny the newspaper’s report.Police said they could neither nor confirm nor deny the newspaper’s report.
Police urged people to avoid speculation and asked people to “avoid the area near the Kiepenkerl pub”, where a large-scale police operation was under way. Officers on Saturday night searched an apartment around two kilometres from the site of the incident and carried out a controlled explosion.
Following the incident police urged people to avoid speculation and asked people to “avoid the area near the Kiepenkerl pub”, where a large-scale police operation was under way.
Several eyewitnesses said police had been quick to arrive on the scene. Due to a Kurdish protest march in central Münster at 3:30pm, an unusually high number of police officers had been on patrol in the city.Several eyewitnesses said police had been quick to arrive on the scene. Due to a Kurdish protest march in central Münster at 3:30pm, an unusually high number of police officers had been on patrol in the city.
Kiepenkerl is a popular bar in the city’s historic downtown area, named after a bronze statue of a travelling salesman from the city, built in 1896. Münster, a town of around 310,000 citizens, is among the 10 biggest university towns in Germany.Kiepenkerl is a popular bar in the city’s historic downtown area, named after a bronze statue of a travelling salesman from the city, built in 1896. Münster, a town of around 310,000 citizens, is among the 10 biggest university towns in Germany.
German chancellor Angela Merkel said in a statement on Saturday evening that she was deeply shocked by news of the events. “Everything imaginable will be done to clarify this deed and lend support to the victims and their relatives,” she said.German chancellor Angela Merkel said in a statement on Saturday evening that she was deeply shocked by news of the events. “Everything imaginable will be done to clarify this deed and lend support to the victims and their relatives,” she said.
Markus Lewe, Münster’s mayor, said: “The whole of Münster is in mourning after this terrible event. Our condolences are with the relatives of the dead. We wish the injured a quick recovery. At this point we don’t know the background to this incident, but I want to thank the forces at work today in Münster.”Markus Lewe, Münster’s mayor, said: “The whole of Münster is in mourning after this terrible event. Our condolences are with the relatives of the dead. We wish the injured a quick recovery. At this point we don’t know the background to this incident, but I want to thank the forces at work today in Münster.”
Armin Laschet, the state premier of North-Rhine Westphalia, said the incident marked “a sad, a terrible day for our country”.Armin Laschet, the state premier of North-Rhine Westphalia, said the incident marked “a sad, a terrible day for our country”.
The incident evoked memories of a December 2016 truck attack in Berlin that killed 12 people.The incident evoked memories of a December 2016 truck attack in Berlin that killed 12 people.
GermanyGermany
EuropeEurope
newsnews
Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
Share on TwitterShare on Twitter
Share via EmailShare via Email
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn
Share on PinterestShare on Pinterest
Share on Google+Share on Google+
Share on WhatsAppShare on WhatsApp
Share on MessengerShare on Messenger
Reuse this contentReuse this content