German car-ramming suspect had mental health problems: reports

A man suspected of ploughing a car into a crowd in the eastern German city of Leipzig, killing two people, had recently been treated for mental health problems, reports said Tuesday.

The 33-year-old German national allegedly drove the vehicle Monday at high speed down a main street in the historic centre of the eastern city, leaving two people dead and many others injured. 

Germany has been shaken by a series of car-ramming attacks in recent years, including one targeting a Christmas market in 2024 in Magdeburg, and others in Berlin and Munich.

The suspect in the Leipzig incident was arrested at the scene and officials have said they do not believe he had a political or religious motive. 

Authorities have not commented directly on his mental health but both the Bild daily and local broadcaster MDR reported that he had recently been receiving treatment in a psychiatric facility.

Bild said he had admitted himself to the centre, but was asked to leave on Sunday due to aggressive behaviour towards other patients.

It was not clear whether the institution had informed the police before his release, which they are required to do in cases where a patient could pose a danger, it said. 

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On Tuesday morning, the street where the deadly incident happened was still cordoned off as police searched the area.

At a church in the grounds of a university, Heidi Rheinsdorf said she had travelled to Leipzig from a nearby town to show support to the local community.

Wiping back tears, the 32-year-old told AFP she was "shocked" when she heard about the car-ramming, adding: "I just don't understand why (the alleged perpetrator) did it.

"I just feel so sorry for the people."

A 63-year old woman and a 77-year old man, both German citizens, were killed in the incident. Authorities have said many others were injured, without giving a precise figure.

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