Mannheim - The German police announced today, Monday, that one person was killed and others were seriously injured in a hit-and-run incident that occurred in the city of Mannheim in the southwest of the country.

A police spokesman reported that a car crashed into a crowd of pedestrians, resulting in casualties, noting that authorities are carrying out a security operation following the incident, which has been described as “serious.” He added that one suspect has been arrested, while it is still unclear whether there are other suspects.

According to eyewitnesses, several people were seen lying on the ground after the incident. The website "Mannheim24" reported that a black SUV sped toward the crowd, causing severe injuries.

The incident occurred at a time when large crowds were gathering in several German cities, including the Rhineland region, to attend celebratory events for the carnival season.

Security concerns in Germany have increased recently, particularly after a series of violent attacks, including a hit-and-run incident last December, a similar incident in Munich last month, as well as a stabbing attack in Mannheim in May 2024.

It is worth noting that security forces are on high alert during this year's carnival season, following warnings of potential threats, as accounts on social media linked to ISIS have called for attacks in cities like Cologne and Nuremberg.

Authorities continue to investigate the incident to determine its motives and whether it is connected to broader security threats.