German lorry attack in Limburg seen as 'act of terrorism' Published duration 8 October 2019

image copyright Getty Images image caption The lorry driver described being dragged from his cab before it was driven into a queue of traffic

An attack on motorists in the western town of Limburg is being investigated as terrorism, security sources have told German media.

On Monday, a man hijacked a lorry and ploughed into eight vehicles waiting at a traffic light, injuring eight people. Seven were treated in hospital.

A thirty-two year-old suspect has been arrested.

Originally from Syria, the man has been living in Germany since 2015, local reports say.

Public broadcaster ZDF quoted sources as saying the incident was being treated by investigators as having a "terrorist background", although Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said on Tuesday he could not yet say how the incident was being classified.

Police searched a flat in Langen, south of Frankfurt, early on Tuesday and said it was linked to what had happened in Limburg, local reports said. Security sources told the DPA news agency the suspect had been known to the police for drug offences and grievous bodily harm.

media caption Authorities work to secure the scene of the attack in Limburg, Germany

Prosecutors are also investigating whether the attacker had any mental health concerns.

"What do you want from me?" the driver said he asked the man. "He didn't say a word. I asked him a again and then he dragged me out of the lorry."

Another witness, Bettina Yeisley, described talking to the hijacker afterwards without realising he had driven the lorry.

"I spoke to him. He was bleeding from his nose, his hands were bloody and his trousers torn. He said 'my whole body hurts.' I asked his name and he told me his name was Mohammed," she told the newspaper. Other German reports gave his name as Omar.

Marius Hahn, the mayor of Limburg, said his thoughts were with the injured and their families.

Germany has been on high alert following several jihadist attacks in recent years.

Anis Amri, the Tunisian behind the attack, was shot and killed in Italy four days later.

Related Topics Germany