Germany knife attack: Man shot after stabbing police officer in frenzied attack at far-right event in Mannheim
German media say anti-Islam activist Michael Stuerzenberger was one of those injured in the attack.
Friday 31 May 2024 16:44, UK
Police have shot a knifeman who injured several people in an attack at a far-right event in the German city of Mannheim.
It happened in the southwestern city's Marktplatz square shortly after 11.35am local time.
German news site Bild showed a video in which the bearded attacker is shot as he stabs a policeman in the neck from behind.
The officer was bent over and appeared to be helping another person at the time.
Moments before, the video shows the attacker wrestling with a man on the ground and swinging wildly with a knife as others try to pull him off.
The victim appears to have a leg wound.
In a livestream earlier in the morning, anti-Islam activist Michael Stuerzenberger was seen preparing to speak to a small crowd in the square.
Bild said he was one of those injured.
Mr Stuerzenberger has been a member of several far-right groups, including the PEGIDA movement that holds regular marches in German cities.
German interior minister Nancy Faeser said the policeman was "seriously injured" and called Islamist extremism a "great danger".
She didn't confirm the condition of the attacker.
"I would like to thank the police officers who intervened immediately and the doctors and paramedics who are fighting for the lives of the victims of this terrible crime," said the minister.
Be the first to get Breaking News
Install the Sky News app for free
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
Chancellor Olaf Scholz, posting on X, said images of the attack were "terrible" and his thoughts were with the victims.
"Violence is absolutely unacceptable in our democracy. The perpetrator must be severely punished," he said.
Mannheim is a city of about 300,000 people south of Frankfurt.