A vehicle ploughed into a group of pedestrians in downtown Stuttgart on Thursday, injuring at least eight people — some of them seriously — in what police are treating as a tragic accident. The incident happened near an above-ground subway stop in the southwestern German city, with emergency services rushing to the scene and cordoning off the area.

Local police confirmed that the driver had been arrested but said there was no indication the crash was intentional. In a statement on X, Stuttgart police said there was “currently no evidence of an attack or a deliberate act,” and that the available information suggested a “tragic traffic accident.” The vehicle, a dark-coloured Mercedes SUV, left multiple pedestrians injured after mounting the pavement in a busy part of the city.

Despite this, a Stuttgart Police statement said: "Police officers arrested a 42-year-old man on Charlottenstrasse who allegedly drove a car into a group of people.

"Witnesses reported that a black Mercedes G-Class drove into a group of people at around 5.50pm.

"Eight people were injured, three of them seriously. One person had to be resuscitated at the scene.

"The circumstances are under investigation. Several emergency services are currently on site. Charlottenstrasse is closed between Charlottenplatz and Alexanderstrasse."

Subway services in the area were suspended, and forensic teams were seen examining the vehicle and surrounding area.

Photos published by local media showed debris including gloves, blankets, and bags scattered near the SUV.

Witnesses were being questioned by officers at the scene, and a full investigation was underway.

Traffic disruption is ongoing.

The accident happened the day after another accident in which a driver apparently lost control of his vehicle in Denmark, leaving three people critically injured.

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