Man rams vehicle into crowd in Germany

A 50-year-old man  targeted several people with his car in the German city of Bottrop on New Year's Eve, injuring at least four people, law enforcement said.

Police reported that the driver repeatedly tried to hit passers-by in different areas — first in the city of Bottrop, then in Essen; both are situated in the North Rhine-Westphalia federal state. In Bottrop, the suspect drove towards a pedestrian, before targeting a group of migrants from Syria and Afghanistan.

According to law enforcement, the attack took place shortly after midnight. The driver tried to flee to Essen and ram his vehicle into a crowd there as well, but was stopped and arrested by police before he could inflict further damage.

​As the authorities specified, the attacker was making anti-foreigner comments during his arrest. They believe the attack was premeditated.

​However, according to police, there are some indicators of the attacker suffering from mental illness, Sputnik reported.