At least four people have been injured after a man intentionally drove into a crowd of migrants, according to German police.

The incident took place shortly after midnight in the city of Bottrop, western Germany, during New Year's Eve celebrations.

Two other attempts by the 50-year-old driver to hit people in his Mercedes failed, according to Associated Press.

The attack appears to have had a racist motive according to Muenster police.


They said that the injured included an Afghan and a Syrian citizen, and that some of those who had been hit were seriously hurt.

The driver attempted to escape to the nearby city of Essen, but was stopped and arrested by police.

According to the authorities the suspect had made anti-foreigner comments during his arrest and the attack was thought to have been premeditated.