german tourist killed in sa

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German tourist shot dead during dream holiday in South Africa when car ambushed

A German tourist was shot dead in cold blood when his car was ambushed by an armed gang on the first day of a dream holiday with friends in South Africa .

The victim was in the people carrier with a woman believed to be his wife and another German couple and were just 25 miles from the Kruger National Park .

As they drove through a township area of a farming village at White River in Mpumalanga Province a VW Caddy pulled in front of their Hyundai Staria.

Three men believed to be in camouflage gear jumped out with guns having forced the German tourists to a halt and screamed:”Open the doors!”.

When the driver hit a button centrally locking all four doors it is believed the ringleader fired at least one shot through the window into the driver.

He had already put the car into reverse and then sped backwards 100 yards crashing into a school wall as the panicking gunmen made their getaway.

Tragically the driver had been so badly shot in the upper body his partner and friends could do nothing for him and he died almost instantly at the scene.

Police and emergency services rushed to the scene but could do nothing to help him and launched a huge manhunt for the gang who shot him dead.

The brutal murder of the German and the terror inflicted on those in the car with him will horrify South African tourist chiefs who are just rebuilding their market after Covid.

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One of the first responders said:”It was a really bad gunshot wound and due to the blood we could not tell initially whether it was just one shot or more.

“His wife or partner was incredibly distressed and I have never seen in all my years anybody so distressed and it was an incredibly upsetting situation.

“There was a lot of blood and screaming and as you can imagine the tourists were hysterical but nothing that could be done to save his life” he said.

It is thought the group had just flown in from Germany to Johannesburg and were making the 250-mile drive to the Mdluli Lodge for a safari holiday.

The Mdluli Lodge is just inside the Kruger National Park’s Numbi Gate and they were just 25 miles away from its safety when they were ambushed at 4.30pm.

Just inside the gate 5 miles along a dirt track is the Mdluli Lodge which has 50 luxury tents at £289 each per night overlooking a river with game viewing.

Guests go out twice daily on 4 x 4 safari jeeps to view the Big 5 of elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard with gourmet dining at lunch and dinner.

Tragically the German tourists were just 45 minutes from their destination.

Police spokesman Brigadier Selvy Mohala said:”Four German tourists were stopped by three armed suspects who ordered them to open the doors.

“The driver reportedly locked all the doors and one of the suspects shot him in the upper body through the window as the driver went into reverse.

“He reversed the vehicle about 100 metres and crashed into a school wall but it would seem he by then had died on the spot as a result of the shooting.

“The suspects sped off in their car without taking anything with them” he said.

Mpumalanga Police Provincial Commander Lieutenant General Semakeleng Manamela condemned the cowardly attack and promised to give justice.

She said:”This attack on a group of tourists was really cruel and uncalled for especially given the economic challenges which our country is facing now.

“When one has tourists then it is the tourist sector that is benefitting in a way which gives a boost to our struggling economy which it needs.

“We call on our citizens who might have seen or heard or have any information about these criminals to come forward so we can bring swift justice”.

In 2020 German restauranteur Eduard Neumeister, 67, was hacked to death as he opened up his eatery in South Africa for breakfast to his customers.

He died in a hail of blows at the Bratwurst Sausage Restaurant in Balgowan, 70 miles north of Durban which he ran with his partner Margit Riebler, 62.

South Africa is said to be one of the most dangerous places in the world with 67 murders a day and 115 reported rapes but tourist murders are rare.

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Italian tourist Gabriele Cairo pleads guilty over SA Mid North crash that killed three people

An Italian tourist has pleaded guilty to causing the deaths of an elderly couple and their daughter in a crash in South Australia's Mid North last year.

Gabriele Cairo, 28, appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday and pleaded guilty, via an interpreter, to causing the deaths of 84-year-old Clare woman Cynthia Clark, her 86-year-old husband John Clark and the couple's 54-year-old daughter from Jamestown, Jacquie   Clark.

The two women died at the scene of the crash, at the intersection of Templeton and Blyth Roads at Everard Central, near Blyth, on October 31.

Mr Clark was flown to the Royal Adelaide Hospital with serious injuries and died a week later.

Cairo, who was driving a hire campervan at the time, also pleaded guilty to causing serious harm to his wife Elena Perrone.

Ms Perrone sustained serious injuries in the crash and was flown to hospital from the scene, about 120 kilometres north of Adelaide.

Another charge of aggravated driving without due care was withdrawn.

The court has previously heard Cairo was in Australia on a tourist visa .

His lawyer, Michael Woods, asked the court if the matter could proceed to sentencing as soon as possible.

Outside court, Mr Woods said his client was feeling "devastated" and wanted the matter finalised quickly "for the sake of everyone".

He said Cairo's time in Australia was "up to the court".

He will next appear in the District Court to begin the sentencing process in July.

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Home » News » South Africa » Crime

By Enkosi Selane

Digital Journalist

5 minute read

26 Feb 2024

Stranger danger: Mercy ride ends up in death for German tourist in SA

This tragic incident of the death of 74-year-old german tourist serves as a reminder to exercise caution when interacting with strangers and to prioritise personal safety while traveling..

Photo: iStock

Three foreign national suspects were expected to appear before the Northam Magistrate’s Court on Monday, for the murder and assault of a 74-year-old German tourist in Limpopo.

On Saturday, the suspects robbed and physically assaulted the 74-year-old, leaving him for dead in a remote farm.

Killed by kindness

When the German national arrived in South Africa on Saturday, departing from Botswana, in his kindness he offered a hitchhiker a lift thereby asking him to help him find accommodation.

The German national and the hitchhiker allegedly established a friendship during the journey, and the victim even allowed the suspect to drive them around.

Upon arriving at a supposed accommodation in Moruleng, the suspect suggested they visit a liquor store where they met with two of the suspect’s accomplices.

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“That’s when the suspect informed his two friends that the tourist is expecting a substantial amount of money from his family abroad,” the police statement read.

Furthermore, the victim went back to his accomodation with the suspects oblivious to the fact that this decision would lead to his demise.

When they got to the victims place, they showed their true colors and tied him up, beat him and robbed him.

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“They also searched him and took an undisclosed amount of cash and other valuables.

“The suspects removed the vehicle’s number plates and continued to drive with the victim while assaulting him to Northam in Limpopo Province using a secluded gravel road.”

According to the police once they reached a certain farm, two of the suspects dragged the victim from the vehicle and dumped him in the bushes, while the driver remained in the vehicle.

ALSO READ:  Limpopo police seize bakkie stolen in Gauteng bound for Zimbabwe

The incident came to the attention of security officials and a member of Rural Safety who noticed a suspicious vehicle parked without number plates at night.

Upon investigation, they discovered a blood-stained t-shirt worn by one of the suspects and immediately notified the police.

The police arrived at the scene, conducted initial investigations, and found the victim’s body in the bushes. Two of the suspects had already fled the scene.

ALSO READ: Man arrested after taking family hostage and shooting three police officers

An intelligence-driven operation was launched, leading to the arrest of the two suspects in the Northwest province later that evening.

“They were found in possession of some of the deceased’s belongings,” according to the police.

The third suspect was also subsequently arrested.

The identity of the victims and suspects has not been revealed by the police.

Stranger, danger

Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Hadebe expressed her appreciation for the police’s efforts in swiftly apprehending the suspects.

She emphasised the importance of securing a strong case that would result in a lengthy conviction for the perpetrators.

This tragic incident serves as a reminder to exercise caution when interacting with strangers and to prioritise personal safety while traveling.

ALSO READ: Daily news update: South African found guilty for murder of women in US | Nine ANC members die in bus accident | Hostage drama on East Rand

“The victim had trusted this ruthless criminal, but he turned against him and, together with his friends, tortured and brutally killed him.

“We will work hard to secure a water tight case that will result in a lengthy conviction for these perpetrators”, said Hadebe.

Similar case

Tragic as it is, this man’s case is not the first occurence of its kind. In 2022, another German tourist, Jörg Schnarr was killed en-route to the  Kruger National Park .

Schnarr was fatally shot during a hijacking that went wrong near the  Numbi Gate  at the park.

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Joerg Schnarr, 67, who worked in human resources for a church organisation, had arrived in South Africa on holiday with his wife and close friends yesterday and attacked just hours later

• 17:53, 4 Oct 2022
• Updated 17:55, 4 Oct 2022

A German tourist has been brutally shot dead in an attempted car-jacking in South Africa's Kruger National Reserve .

Retired Human Resources director Joerg Schnarr, 67, who worked for a church organisation, was killed in cold blood but his wife Vera and close friends Reiner and Andrea Nuchter survived.

The four friends from the city of Fulda in central Germany had landed earlier yesterday at Johannesburg and were driving to their lodge in the game reserve.

A £2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest of the killers has been put up by the local tourikrugerst board who described the shooting as a "sabotage" of the industry.

It is believed the Nuchter's ran their own restaurant and had decided to join the Schnarr's on a luxury tented holiday at the Mdluli Lodge to view African wildlife.

However they were just a few hours into their journey to the Kruger National Park and 25 miles from the safety of the main gate when their car was ambushed.

Three gunmen swerved in front of his people carrier as he drove from the airport in Johannesburg for a safari in the Kruger National Park with his wife and friends.

When the 67-year-old driver refused to open the doors and started to reverse the gunman opened fire and shot the pensioner at point blank range killing him.

The out-of-control car careered backwards 100 metres and slammed into a school wall in the farming village of White Water in Mpumalanga Province yesterday.

Paramedics and police raced to the scene and found the blood-soaked driver was still slumped behind the wheel and is believed to have died almost instantly.

The four names were released by the Mpumulanga Tourism and Parks Agency after consulation with the survivors who are being offered full trauma counselling.

South African Police have launched a massive manhunt for the three strong gang who fled empty handed yesterday after the driver reversed away from their trap.

A first responder said: ”It was a really bad gunshot wound and due to the amount of blood we could not tell initially how many shots it was but he was beyond help.

“The guy’s wife and the other couple were as you can imagine hysterical.One minute they were nearly into the Kruger on a dream holiday and the next minute this.”

The German tourists had booked into two £289-each-per-night luxury tents in the exclusive accommodation that overlooks the Kruger National Park for exceptional game viewing.

Each day 4 x 4 safari jeeps take out guests to enjoy the wildlife including the Big 5 of elephant, lion, buffalo, leopard and rhino in South Africa’s biggest nature reserve.

Police spokesman Brigadier Selvy Mohala said yesterday: ”Four German tourists were stopped by three armed suspects who ordered them to open the doors on the way to the Kruger.

“The driver reportedly locked all the doors and one of the suspects shot him in the upper body through the window as the driver reversed and sadly the shot was fatal.

“The vehicle reversed about 100 metres and crashed into a school wall and the suspects sped off in their car without taking anything from them and we will track them down."

Mpumalanga Police Provincial Commander Lieutenant General Semakeleng Manamela condemned the cowardly attack which will rock the slowly recovering tourist industry.

She said: ”This attack on a group of tourists was cruel and uncalled for especially given the economic challenges which our country now faces.

“When one has tourists then it is the tourist sector that is benefitting in a way which gives a boost to our struggling economy which it needs.

“We call on our citizens who might have seen or heard or have information about these criminals to come forward so we can bring swift justice.”

Last month celebrity model Katie Price , 44, recalled how her convoy of two 4 x 4’s were ambushed as they drove away from Johannesburg by 6 armed gunmen in 2018.

She revealed that despite being in the vehicle with her two terrified children she was dragged out and raped while their vehicles were being robbed by the gang.

The mother of seven was with a film crew and was travelling from South Africa to Swaziland whilst making a fly-on-the-wall documentary on her "crazy" celebrity lifestyle.

The former glamour model said she feared for her life in the attack just outside the town of Ermelo after her convoy stopped in a remote layby after darkness fell.

One of her children needed a comfort stop and that is when the gang struck as they pulled over and leaped out of the car according to Katie aiming guns and threatening to kill.

After the gang had robbed them of jewellery, cash, phones and computers they threw both sets of car keys into the undergrowth and fled into the night in a getaway car.

Police closed the case several months later without finding the gang and it was only for the first time for a yet-to-be-aired TV documentary that Katie revealed she was raped.

In 2020 German restauranteur Eduard Neumeister, 67, was hacked to death at his eatery in South Africa as he opened up for breakfast.

He died in a hail of blows at the Bratwurst Sausage Restaurant in Balgowan, 70 miles north of Durban which he ran with his partner Margit Riebler, 62.

South Africa is said to be one of the most dangerous places in the world with 67 murders a day and 115 reported rapes but tourist murders are rare.

MORE ON Murder Carjacking South Africa Crime Germany

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German tourist shot dead near Kruger National Park

Police in South Africa are searching for suspects wanted for the killing of a German tourist who was shot dead while traveling to the world renowned Kruger game reserve.

Armed men shot dead a German tourist during a robbery in South Africa's eastern Mpumalanga province on Monday.

Local police said the man, along with three others from Germany, had been traveling to the Kruger National Park , a popular tourist attraction.

Police have opened a murder investigation and launched a manhunt for the suspects.

What have police said?

The tour group were stopped by armed suspects as they made their way to Numbi gate in the south western corner of the park.

According to local police chief Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, the attackers demanded the doors of the vehicle be opened, at which point the driver locked doors.

Mohlala said one of the suspects then shot the man in the upper body, through the window. The suspects subsequently drove off without taking anything from the group.

News of the murder has been circulating on social media in South Africa.

South African tourism boss 'saddened' by attack

The country's Minister of Tourism Lindiwe Sisulu expressed her sadness at the news of the German man's murder, offering her condolences to the man's family while calling on law enforcement to act.

"I condemn this murder and robbery in the strongest terms and call for harsh punishment of those responsible," Sisulu said in a statement.

The minister pointed out that tourism is among South Africa's key economic drivers and was seeing a boom in people visiting the country. Sisulu said she would also be discussing ways of ensuring the safety of those visiting South Africa.

Gun violence in South Africa surges

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With its abundance of wildlife and pristine natural beauty, South Africa is a popular tourist destination and receives many German visitors each year.

However, the country also has a myriad of challenges, among them, soaring rates of violent crime.  It is widely regarded as having the highest levels of unemployment in the world and is also the country with the highest level of wealth inequality.

Material from German news agency dpa contributed to this report.

Edited by: Natalie Muller

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German tourist killed in South Africa

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A German tourist was killed Monday in South Africa by gunmen who intercepted his car near the large Kruger Park game reserve, police said, suspecting foul play, the police said in a statement on Monday, October 3.

Four German tourists were driving to the Mdluli Safari lodge, a luxury lodge about 15 kilometers from the northeastern Kruger Park when they were intercepted by three armed men who demanded that they open the vehicle doors.

Preliminary investigations show, "the driver then locked the doors and one of the suspects then shot him in the upper body through the window" and he died on the spot, the police said.

The assailants then fled in their car without taking anything from the tourists.

The German embassy in South Africa is in touch with local authorities about the "tragic incident" and is "looking after the German nationals who were affected," its spokesman Christopher Schmidt told AFP.

The Kruger, which covers some 20,000 square kilometers embedded in a vast unfenced savannah that stretches into neighboring Mozambique, is South Africa's largest national park, and one of the continent's most tourist-friendly wildlife reserves.

South Africa's Department of Tourism offered its condolences and urged the police to find and prosecute the assailants.

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German tourist killed near Kruger was a regular traveller to SA

The German tourist who was killed on Monday in Mpumalanga was a regular visitor and had been to SA in 2016 and 2018.

This is according to the director of Mdluli Safari Lodge in Kruger National Park (KNP), Chris Schalkwyk, who hosted the three surviving victims after their friend was killed.

Authorities have not released the identity of the man as some of his relatives in Germany are yet to be informed of his death.

Tourist shot dead in botched hijacking attempt

Thetourist was fatally shot in a hijacking on the Numbi Road, en route to a lodge in the KNP. It is believed to have been an attempted hijacking. 

“The gentleman has been to SA before. I’ve just checked the passport, it is clear they have been here before,” he said

Schalkwyk said the four tourists, in their 60s, were “lovely people” who are retired and travelled regularly together.

Police said the four from Germany were travelling in a Hyundai H1 when they were attacked by three armed attackers driving a VW Caddy.

“The incident is extremely sad. We are handling the victims as best as we can and we are emotionally supporting them,” he said.

'Prioritise tourists' safety': Gun crime against German visitors shocks industry

He told TimesLIVE on Tuesday that the three other travellers were “coping but distraught”.

“We arranged a game drive to help them get away from it all. We are supporting them with all their needs,” said Schalkwyk.

He said the tourists had been friends for about 45 years.

“They are strong but obviously shaken and very sad. We are trying to make sure that they understand that SA is a beautiful country and that what happened is unfortunate. It is a crime which we think was very opportunistic,” he said.

The spokesperson for the German Embassy to SA, Christopher Schmidt, said the embassy was in contact with the victims and providing assistance.

“You can imagine as a tourist in a foreign country and something like this happens to you, it is very traumatising,” said Schmidt. 

He said the embassy will offer assistance to the group for their travel back to Germany.

“We will provide any assistance and help with all the administration in terms of sorting out their travelling documents,” he said.

South African National Parks (SANParks) extended condolences to the family and friends of the tourist.

“Our thoughts are with the family as they process this senseless and tragic loss. We are deeply saddened by the escalation of crime and violence to this terrible end, which not only threatens the lives of our visitors but also the livelihoods of the people living around our parks,” said KNP spokesperson Ike Phaahla.

He said the incident was a huge setback for the tourism sector and the country. He said they have been working with the Lowveld business chamber and the national department of tourism to promote and market tourism products to their overseas customers.

“This criminal act undermines efforts to restore the sector to pre-Covid days.

“Tourism is a huge employer in a region with some of the highest unemployment in the country.  We are confident that the law enforcement agencies will apprehend these heinous criminals and bring them to book,” he said.

Numbi Road has been identified as a crime hotspot by the tourism sector and efforts are ongoing to counter the criminality in the area and on the road, with increased security patrols and vehicle recognition cameras.  

SANParks said it is involved in those deliberations and working with the authorities to try to ensure the safety of tourists on all roads leading to the KNP and other tourist destinations in the area.  

Tourists are advised to plan their trips carefully, only make stops at designated areas such as garages and service stations, try to travel in convoys, and where possible use alternative gates. Paul Kruger and Phabeni Gates are fully operational and signposted and can be used as a gateway to other lodges around the KNP.     

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Numbi Gate identified as crime hotspot: Reward offered for info on shooting of German tourist

Call for enhanced security measures around kruger national park after tourist attack at known crime hotspot.

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Just in: German tourist SHOT and KILLED en route to Kruger National Park Photos: Supplied/Police

German tourist SHOT and KILLED en route to Kruger National Park

Police said a group of German tourists was attacked on their way to the Kruger National Park. One of the tourists was SHOT and KILLED.

A group of German tourists was attacked on their way to a lodge inside the Kruger National Park .

One of the tourists was SHOT and KILLED. Nothing was taken in the attack.

According to police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, the group of German tourists was attacked on Monday afternoon at Numbi Road near White River. The group was on their way to Numbi Gate at Mdluli Safari Lodge.

The attack happened around 16:30.

ALSO READ: Five killed in Schoemanskloof accident – including Netherlands tourists

“According to the report, at that time, four tourists from Germany were then stopped by three armed suspects. “The suspects are said to have instructed the tourists to open the doors of the vehicle. The driver reportedly locked all the doors, and one of the suspects shot him in the upper body through the window.” Brigadier Selvy Mohlala

THE GERMAN TOURIST WAS SHOT IN THE UPPER BODY

Mohlala said the vehicle reversed for about 100 metres before crashing into the wall of Heroes Academy.

ALSO READ: Well-known trophy hunter shot execution-style in suspected hit

“Unfortunately, the driver died on the spot as a result of the shooting. The suspects reportedly sped off in their vehicle without taking anything .” Brigadier Selvy Mohlala

A MANHUNT WAS LAUNCHED – NO ARRESTS HAVE BEEN MADE YET

He furthermore said the police at Masoyi and other role players in the Emergency Services were alerted about the incident.

“A murder case was opened with an immediate launch of a manhunt for the suspects.”

No one has been arrested as yet, and police urge anyone with information that may assist in apprehending the perpetrators to immediately call the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111 or send information via MYSAPSAPP. All received information will be treated as confidential, and callers may opt to remain anonymous.

DO YOU HAVE INFORMATION THAT CAN ASSIST THE POLICE?

Meanwhile, the Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, has vehemently condemned the suspects’ terrible atrocity.

“This is really cruel and uncalled for given the economic challenges that our country is facing. When one has tourists, then it means the tourism sector is benefitting in a way which in turn gives a boost to our struggling economy. “We call on our good citizens who might have seen or heard anything about these criminals to come forward, and we promise to act swiftly so that they are brought to justice,” urged the General.

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Virseker werp lig op die mees algemene geboueverwante uitdagings wat verbruikers ondervind. 

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https://www.barrons.com/news/hitchhiker-kills-german-tourist-in-south-africa-3460a456

• FROM AFP NEWS

Hitchhiker Kills German Tourist In South Africa

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A German tourist was robbed and killed by a hitchhiker in South Africa, police said on Monday, announcing the arrest of the suspect and two alleged accomplices.

The 74-year-old man, who has not been named, offered his alleged killer a ride on Saturday as he was driving in the north of the country, having crossed the border from Botswana.

"The victim had trusted this ruthless criminal, but he turned against him and, together with his friends, tortured and brutally killed him," provincial commissioner Thembi Hadebe said.

Police said the passenger befriended the driver, who asked him for help in finding accommodation.

The two stopped for drinks near Moruleng, a town close to the renowned Pilanesberg national park, where they were joined by the alleged killer's accomplices.

The victim was then driven to a house, where he was tied up and assaulted as the robbers stripped him of his cash and valuables and demanded to know his bank pin code.

The man's body was later found dumped in bushes near a farm, police said.

The suspects, all foreign nationals aged between 24 and 46, were arrested later during the weekend, having been found in possession of some of the dead man's belongings, police said.

Famed for its wildlife and natural sights, South Africa receives millions of travellers every year.

Tourism is a key contributor to the economy but the country also suffers from extremely high crime rates.

It recorded almost 84 murders a day between October and December, according to official figures.

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Germany knife attack: Anti-Islam activist stabbed in Mannheim city

Germany Mannheim stabbing incident : In yet another sign of growing anti-immigration sentiment in Germany, on Friday (May 31), videos shared on social media showed a man attacking several people with a knife in the southwest German city of Mannheim, over 600 km southwest of capital Berlin. The suspect was subsequently arrested, 

A police spokesperson confirmed the incident and said there was no danger to the public after the suspect was arrested by the authorities. 

Mannheim stabbing incident: What happened?

The German police did not immediately provide any information about the severity of the injuries or the identities of those involved. But one of the stabbed individuals was widely reported to be a prominent far-right activist and Islam critic Michael Stürzenberger.

Also read | German tourist killed and two others injured in Paris terror attack near Eiffel Tower

Videos of the incident showed a man appearing to be Stürzenberger coming under attack by the knife-wielding man in the central Market square in Mannheim at about 11:45 a.m. (local time). 

Stürzenberger had been participating in a rally organised by the Citizens' Movement Pax Europa, which describes itself as an "anti-Islamisation" movement.

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"One person is said to have attacked several people with a knife and injured them," the Mannheim police said in a statement. "The extent and severity of the injuries are not yet known. A firearm was then used against the attacker. The attacker was also injured as a result."

Rescue and emergency services were deployed to the scene, according to reports.

More details will be added soon...

6 injured in a knife attack in the German city of Mannheim. Police shot and wounded the assailant

BERLIN (AP) — A man stabbed several members of a group that describes itself as opposing “political Islam,” and a police officer, on a central square in the German city of Mannheim on Friday, wounding six people, authorities said.

Police quickly put an end to the attack by shooting the assailant, who also was wounded.

The attack happened shortly after 11:30 a.m. (0930 GMT) on the Marktplatz, a downtown square in the southwestern city of Mannheim.

The assailant stabbed participants in an event organized by the Pax Europa group, wounding five members of the organization, police and prosecutors said in a statement. A police officer who intervened also was attacked and stabbed several times from behind in the head, they added.

Another officer fired a shot at the assailant, bringing an end to the attack. The wounded were taken to various hospitals, where some of them underwent operations.

Several hours later, authorities said they couldn’t yet give information on the severity of the injuries. They also said the assailant’s identity hadn’t yet been established.

Pax Europa describes itself as an organization that informs the public about the dangers posed by the “increasing spread and influence of political Islam.” It said that Michael Stürzenberger, an anti-Islam activist who is one of its leading figures and has spoken at its events, was among those wounded.

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said that it’s up to the investigation to determine a motive. She said in a statement that “if the investigation shows an Islamist motive, that would be another confirmation of the great danger from Islamist acts of violence that we have warned of.”

Thomas Strobl, Faeser’s regional counterpart in Baden-Wuerttemberg, where Mannheim is located, said that “we can’t say anything yet about the perpetrator’s motive.”

Chancellor Olaf Scholz posted on X that “the pictures from Mannheim are terrible” and that “violence is absolutely unacceptable in our democracy.”

Mannheim, a city of about 300,000 people is located south of Frankfurt.

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

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Outdated structure, excess load suspected in deadly Mallorca collapse

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Excess weight on terrace of Spanish building may have led to collapse that killed 4, officials say

Spain’s National Police have released details on four people killed when a building housing a bar and restaurant club collapsed on the island of Mallorca.

Four people died and several more were seriously injured on Thursday when a building collapsed on the island of Mallorca, Spanish emergency authorities said. (AP Video by Carlos Herrera)

Medics take injured people away from a building that collapsed in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, Thursday May 23, 2024. Spanish emergency authorities say that four people have died and 21 more have been injured when a building collapsed on the island of Mallorca. (Isaac Buj/Europa Press via AP)

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Medics take injured people away from a building that collapsed in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, Thursday, May 23, 2024. Spanish emergency authorities say that four people have died and 21 more have been injured when a building collapsed on the island of Mallorca. (Isaac Buj/Europa Press via AP)

People take images of a collapsed building that killed four people in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, Friday, May 24, 2024. Spanish police say the four people killed when a building housing a bar and restaurant collapsed on the island of Mallorca late Thursday were two German women, a Spanish woman and a Senegalese man. Firefighter department spokesman Eder García told reporters that excess weight on a first-floor terrace may have caused the collapse. Sixteen people were injured and five were said to be in serious condition. (AP Photo/Francisco Ubilla)

People gather to look at a collapsed building that killed four people in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, Friday, May 24, 2024. Spanish police say the four people killed when a building housing a bar and restaurant collapsed on the island of Mallorca late Thursday were two German women, a Spanish woman and a Senegalese man. Firefighter department spokesman Eder García told reporters that excess weight on a first-floor terrace may have caused the collapse. Sixteen people were injured and five were said to be in serious condition. (AP Photo/Francisco Ubilla)

PALMA DE MALLORCA, Spain (AP) — Excess weight on a first-floor terrace may have contributed to the collapse of a building housing a bar and restaurant club on the Spanish island of Mallorca that killed four people, officials said Friday.

Spain’s National Police said the collapse Thursday killed two German women, ages 20 and 30, and a 33-year-old Spanish woman as well as a 44-year-old Senegalese man. The Spanish woman worked in the club, they said.

Palma de Mallorca Mayor Jaime Martínez and fire department spokesman Eder García told reporters that excess weight on the terrace may have caused the collapse. García later said the age of the building, which was not given, might also have been a factor.

Sixteen people were injured and five of them were reportedly in serious condition. They were treated at local hospitals. Martínez said that by midday Friday the lives of the five in serious condition were not in danger.

Officials said that of the 16 injured, 11 were Dutch and they were all hospitalized. Three of the five released were also Dutch. It was not clear if they were all tourists or some were residents. There were no immediate details on the nationalities of the other two people released.

Police and firefighters were inspecting the building Friday to try to ascertain the causes of the collapse.

The collapse happened in the city of Palma on the Mediterranean island popular with tourists. The building housed a restaurant called Medusa Beach Club, located near the beach, and the area was packed with tourists at the time.

Police were unable to say how many people were on the premises around 8:30 p.m. when the collapse happened.

Public television the Balearic Islands, IB3, reported Thursday night that there were people dancing on the terrace at the time. The terrace collapsed damaging the street-level floor below as well as a disco area in the basement.

Local resident Francisco Nogales said that after the accident there was the sound of “crying, you heard the people crying.”

Martínez said that firefighters and police had to call on people in the street to try to stay quiet so that they might hear any calls for help from survivors.

Nogales and media reports said the Senegalese man was a regular who had gone in to have a coffee.

The city declared three days of mourning, and a minute of silence was observed at noon Friday.