Here is where things stand on Tuesday 27 May 2025:

Summary

• Four children are among almost 50 people injured after a car ploughed into a crowd during Liverpool FC’s Premier League victory parade on Monday evening
• Some 27 people were taken to hospital, and two suffered serious injuries – including a child
• A 53-year-old white British man has been arrested and is believed to be the driver of the vehicle, Merseyside Police say. They aren’t treating the incident as terrorism
• Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram tells the BBC there are “still four people who are very, very ill in hospital” as he warns people not to speculate

The scene at Royal Liverpool University Hospital

I’m outside the Royal Liverpool University Hospital – one of the four hospitals where ambulances took some of those who were injured.

Others were taken to Arrowe Park, Alder Hey and Aintree Hospitals.

We know that 47 people in total were injured. Some 20 people were treated at the scene; they didn’t require hospital treatment, but another 27 did.

We also heard the fire service describe how when they arrived, they found four people trapped under a vehicle.

They had to lift that vehicle and those people who were injured were given treatment and taken to hospital here.

Confusion as some people didn’t immediately hear the news

John Gibbons, who hosts the Anfield Wrap podcast for Liverpool FC fans, was at a nearby hotel when the car drove into the crowd at Monday’s parade.

He realised the seriousness of the situation when he saw people suddenly begin to disperse and police making their way through.

However, he could see some people who clearly hadn’t heard the news yet and were still celebrating.

“It’s hard enough getting signal in the centre anyway at the best of times,” he says. “People didn’t necessarily know.”

The driver’s identity – and four other things we don’t yet know

The driver’s identity – and four other things we don’t yet know

We’ve got reporters gathering reaction around Liverpool’s Water Street this morning, and we’ll continue to bring you testimony from those who witnessed yesterday’s shocking events.

In the meantime, let’s take a look at some of the details that still remain unclear about the event that marred yesterday’s celebrations.

The driver’s motive: Authorities say the incident is not terror-related, but Liverpool Mayor Steve Rotheram is warning against speculation as to why the driver ploughed through crowds on Water Street.

The identity of the driver: Police confirmed yesterday that a 53-year-old white British man was arrested, but the authorities have not confirmed a name or released a picture.

How the car was able to access a closed road: Police are investigating how a car was able to access a street that had been pedestrianised in order for Liverpool FC’s trophy parade to pass by.

Who the injured are: We know that 47 people were injured, with 27 of these people taken to hospital for treatment. Earlier, Mayor Steve Rotheram suggested four are “very, very ill in hospital”.

When Water Street will reopen: Police are continuing their investigations and the street remains closed off as a crime scene this morning.

Crowds rocked car back and forth – eyewitness

BBC reporter and Liverpool FC fan Dan Ogunshakin witnessed the moment when the car ploughed into crowds yesterday at the parade.

He was there with his friend and describes seeing the vehicle in the moments before the incident. Crowds of jubilant football fans surrounded the vehicle and began rocking it back and forth as well, as banging on it, Dan says.

Moments later, the vehicle suddenly reversed, colliding with an ambulance behind it, he says, adding it then “shot forward”, accelerating into bystanders.

At that point, he tells BBC 5 Live’s Breakfast show:

“The atmosphere completely changed.”

Dan says he rushed to help people lying on the ground, including an older woman and a gentleman in a “flood of tears”. Both he says were responsive.

“No-one went to Liverpool expecting to be involved in something quite like that,” he adds.

Liverpool FC postpones further Premier League events

Along with the statement the club issued last night, Liverpool FC have also postponed a number of internal staff events celebrating the Premier League title win that had been planned for today.

In an internal email sent last night, staff were also told that the club “will continue to offer our full support to the emergency services and local authorities” and encouraged “to come together at this time to support each other”.

Complete change in police communication following Southport attack – policing lecturer

Merseyside Police has adopted a “complete step change” in sharing information with the public, former inspector Peter Williams tells the BBC.

Williams, a lecturer from the Liverpool Centre for Advanced Policing Studies, says there’s been a “shift” in police communication in the aftermath of last July’s Southport attack, when three young girls were stabbed to death, and others were seriously wounded, at a Taylor Swift-themed children’s event.

Following the attack, Merseyside Police were criticised for providing little information to the public, which allowed speculation over the perpetrator’s identity to grow among the public.

Police said online disinformation on social media helped to spark the riots that took place in several parts of the UK following the attack.

“It was no surprise to me last night that within an hour or so we got a statement to say what had happened,” Peter Williams says.

We come together and support each other – local MP

The Labour MP for Birkenhead, which lies across the River Mersey from Liverpool, says she’s “devastated” that what was a “wonderful day of joy and celebration had this at its end”.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme, Alison McGovern says she’d been at the parade with her family and thanked the emergency services for their response: “The police and all those who were there to support people yesterday were incredible.”

She adds: “Liverpool Football Club is a very special club, and Liverpool is a very special city. We are all thinking of those people affected. In the coming days, we’ll think about how we care and love those people who’ve been hurt, because this is what we do – we come together and support each other.”

McGovern also calls for people not to speculate about what happened online and asks anyone with video footage to send it to Merseyside Police.

‘It happened literally right in front of my house’

Julia Sesto lives in an apartment within the cordoned-off area on Water Street.

She says it was “terrifying” what happened “literally right in front of my house”.

Julia says she was in the street but did not see the incident.

This morning she was on her way to work in Bootle and had to give her name and details to a police officer to get past.

Police will have whatever support necessary, education secretary tells BBC

We’ve just heard this morning’s first response from the government as Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson speaks to BBC Breakfast.

“What should have been a day of joy and celebration has been marred by these appalling events,” she says.

Phillipson pays tribute to the community and emergency services, praising the “bravery” of the first responders who rushed to help the injured on Water Street.

And, Phillipson says the police will get “whatever support is necessary” as their investigation continues.

Liverpool’s Water Street still closed

Water Street remains a crime scene this morning, as police continue to gather evidence to support their investigation into how a car was able to drive down a closed-off street during Liverpool FC’s trophy parade.

As you can see from these latest pictures, debris still litters the street, while police stand guard outside a number of tents.

Four people still very ill in hospital – Liverpool mayor

Liverpool City Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram says there are “still four people who are very, very ill in hospital”.

“We are hoping of course that they pull through,” he tells BBC Radio 5 Live.

Asked whether that reflects an increase on the previous number of seriously injured – given by authorities last night as one adult and one child – he says: “No, not directly, but of course we’re in liaison with the police and with the ambulance services.

“Last night they had two gold command meetings – one was really late in the evening, so this morning I’ll get some updates.”

Shocking contrast this morning after celebratory scenes

We are right on the waterfront. The pier head is in front of me.

Behind me is the aftermath of the awful incident that happened yesterday.

I just cannot emphasise the sense of shock here and the contrast between the scenes here yesterday.

I was here at the parade, which was filled with joy. It could not have been a more joyous situation.

For the day to end as it did was really shocking.

‘It was like the wind was taken out of the sails’

BBC Radio 5 live presenter Connor Phillips was at a bar about 500 metres from Water Street when the car ploughed into the crowd of bystanders on bank holiday Monday.

He says he didn’t realise at first what was happening, but the nature of incident became clear when he saw a news headline on television.

“We worked our way back and started to recognise that something serious had happened,” he says.

He adds the atmosphere in the venue changed after news of the incident began to spread.

“It was like the wind was taken out of the sails,” he says.

“At that point, most people put their pint down, went over to the screen and it was a weird moment where people gathered around the TV just shaking their head,” he adds.

Debris on the floor around Water Street symbolic of Monday’s chaos.

I’m stood near the Cunard Building, looking towards Water Street and towards Liverpool Town Hall.

There was a yellow police van at the scene overnight, but it left just as I arrived this morning.

There is currently blue and white police tape between the traffic lights and there’s still a Liverpool flag fluttering in the wind.

There is a very large white police van and several officers stood around.

The debris on the floor is almost acting as a symbol to the chaos that took place in the area last night.

Scene of devastation as clean-up operation yet to begin

I’m live in Liverpool city centre with BBC Breakfast, as we bring you the very latest information following the terrible scene last night.

It’s a scene of devastation behind me. You can see the police tape, the police investigation unit, and the blue police tent.

The clean-up operation is yet to begin, as the crime scene is still preserved after the incident during Liverpool’s victory parade.

Liverpool mayor says speculation over driver is part of the problem

Steve Rotheram is also asked about speculation that the events might be alcohol-related, given the number of bars that line Water Street.

“There’s a lot of speculation and that’s part of the problem,” the Liverpool City Region mayor responds.

“All those things caused real consternation, but the police acted very, very quickly to put paid to some of that speculation.

“I don’t think it’s worth us speculating on what might have happened to the driver,” he adds.

As a reminder, authorities have confirmed that they aren’t treating the incident as terror-related.

Prime minister has offered any help Liverpool needs – Liverpool mayor

Steve Rotheram says he has spoken to both the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, who are both getting regular updates about the incident.

“The prime minister says anything we wanted as a city to just let him know.”

No new details on police investigation, says mayor

More now from Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram, who tells BBC Breakfast that there are “no new details” available yet about the police investigation.

He continues by saying there is “detailed work” ongoing to determine how a car was able to enter a closed street at such speed.

“Our thoughts really should be with the people who are in hospital at the moment,” Rotheram adds.

A day of absolute joy was overshadowed – Liverpool Mayor

Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram has just been speaking to BBC Breakfast.

He tells Sally Nugent that a day of celebrations and absolute joy was overshadowed by what happened.

It put a dampener on the trophy parade for everyone, he says.

Pictures: Emergency services at Water Street late last night

Liverpool’s Water Street remained cordoned off late on Monday night, as police continue their investigations.

Here’s how the scene looked overnight:

Liverpool region mayor expected to talk to BBC shortly

We’re expecting Steve Rotheram, the mayor of the Liverpool City Region, to speak to the BBC in the next few moments.

We’re also expecting to hear from Helen King, a former assistant chief constable at Merseyside Police.

We’ll keep you posted on the latest lines from them as they arrive, as well as all the other latest updates from Liverpool.

Car hit pedestrians just off parade route

As we’ve been reporting, at just after 18:00 BST on Sunday, Merseyside Police said they had received reports of a car hitting pedestrians in Water Street, Liverpool.

Thousands of people were in the streets of the city centre at the time to celebrate Liverpool FC’s Premier League title win.

Liverpool FC anthem has never felt more appropriate – Kenny Dalglish

We’ll continue to bring you reaction this morning as the UK wakes up to news that dozens were injured at yesterday’s parade in Liverpool.

Liverpool FC club legend Kenny Dalglish, who played for and managed Liverpool, says he was “shocked, horrified and deeply saddened” by the incident at the end of the parade.

He sends his thoughts and prayers to everyone impacted, and references Liverpool’s anthem ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’, which he says “has never felt more appropriate”.

“Your Liverpool family are behind you,” Dalglish says.

If you are just joining us, here’s what we know

Liverpool is waking up to the aftermath of a shocking incident in which a car drove into a crowd during Liverpool FC’s Premier League victory parade.

Police say 27 people, including four children, were taken to hospital after the collision with pedestrians on Water Street.

Tens of thousands had turned out in the city centre to celebrate the team’s triumph.

Police have arrested a 53-year-old white British man who they believe was driving the car. They are not treating the incident as terrorism.

Stay with us as our reporters bring you the latest news and reaction from the city.

Liverpool MP ‘absolutely heartbroken’

Liverpool West Derby MP Ian Byrne says he is “absolutely heartbroken” by the incident in a statement posted on X.

“Absolutely heartbroken by the scenes in town, after what should have been the best of days,” he wrote.

“My love and thoughts are with all affected.”

Liverpool FC’s historic rivals, Manchester United, also offered their solidarity.

“Our thoughts are with @LFC, external and the city of Liverpool after today’s awful incident,” the team posted on X on Monday.

‘Horror’ in Liverpool dominates the papers

Images of the “horror” on Water Street cover Tuesday’s front pages.

The Daily Telegraph headlines their story with “Liverpool glory turns to horror” as it features a photo of an injured person being wheeled away on a stretcher by paramedics.

“Carnage at the parade” leads the Daily Mail and is paired with an image of the car ploughing into a crowd of Liverpool supporters.

“Elation then horror” declares the Daily Mirror.

“Horror at the parade” is plastered across the Daily Star and the Daily Express, along with the moment police swarmed the vehicle.

Fire chief describes how crews freed people trapped under car

Let’s go back now to that news conference and watch a clip of the chief fire officer for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service describing what his crews encountered at the scene on Water Street.

They had to lift four people who were trapped beneath the car and one of those rescued was a child, Nick Searle said.

No one at Lime Street feels like singing tonight

I’m in a long queue at Liverpool Lime Street waiting for the train back home. Normally, after Liverpool’s victory parade, everyone would be singing to make the long wait bearable. No one feels like singing tonight.

But I am encouraged by what I have seen on my X feed from the people of Liverpool, both the Red and Blue half. People have been offering lifts to people wherever they need to go, spare beds or hotel rooms or use of their wi-fi and electricity so people are able to contact their loved ones.

‘Whole country stands with Liverpool’ – Starmer

Sir Keir Starmer has spoken to the Mayor of Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, about Monday’s “terrible events”, according to a statement from Downing Street.

The prime minister praised the “remarkable bravery” of the police and emergency services.

“Everyone, especially children, should be able to celebrate their heroes without this horror,” he added.

“The city has a long and proud history of coming together through difficult times. Liverpool stands together and the whole country stands with Liverpool.”

• Merseyside Police say a 53-year-old white British man has been arrested after a car drove into pedestrians in Water Street, Liverpool
• Police did not say whether the man is the suspected driver, and have warned people “not to speculate on the circumstances surrounding” the incident
• “I grabbed my daughter and dived out of the way,” says our reporter who was at the scene when people began screaming
• Thousands of people were on the city’s streets for Liverpool FC’s Premier League victory parade – the club has offered its full support to the emergency service
• It is not yet clear how many people have been injured, or to what extent – here’s everything we know so far
• Prime Minister Keir Starmer says the “scenes in Liverpool are appalling” and thanks emergency services for their swift response

Footage of incident ‘appalling’ – Merseyside Police

Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell says footage of the incident in Liverpool is “appalling” and urges people not to speculate.

“The footage from tonight’s parade is shocking and appalling. My thoughts are with all those affected,” she says in a statement.

“A 53-year-old white British male from the Liverpool area has now been arrested. My thanks go to Merseyside Police and our emergency service partners who have responded so swiftly,” Spurrell continues.

“Updates will be provided as soon as possible. In the meantime, I’d urge people to please not speculate any further,” the statement adds.

The police are expected to give a news conference at about 22:30 – you’ll be able to watch and follow live on this page.

‘A car flew past me and my mate’ – eyewitness describes incident

One eyewitness has described the “frantic” moment a car ploughed into the crowds in Liverpool.

Peter Jones, 44, from the Isle of Man, attended the Premier League trophy parade and described the incident as “shocking”.

He says: “We were walking up Water Street, thousands around us.

“We heard a frantic beeping ahead, a car flew past me and my mate, people were chasing it and trying to stop him, windows smashed at the back.

“He then drove into people, police and medics ran past us, and people were being treated on the side of the road.

“There were a lot injured. We heard it behind us hit the crowds, then we saw half a dozen people [injured] in the road as we were walking up.”

“It was shocking. We’re back at our hotel now, in a bit of a shock.”

‘We have no reason as to why this incident took place’ – local MP says

Local Liverpool politicians have been sharing their reaction to what has happened this evening.

Kim Johnson, MP for Liverpool Riverside, has just been speaking on the phone to BBC Radio Merseyside and says she is “very shocked this incident has taken place”.

“If anyone does have any information – share it with police immediately,” she adds.

“We have no reason as to why this incident took place because the police are still undertaking their inquires.”

Earlier, Justin Madders, the Labour MP for Ellesmere Port and Bromborough, which lies just across the River Mersey, wrote: “This is appalling – a victory parade turned into such awful scenes – I hope everyone who needs it gets swift treatment and the police and emergency services are able to get on with their jobs.”

The Mayor of the Liverpool City Region has also issued a statement. Steve Rotheram says: “Our hearts go out to all of those affected, especially those who have been injured.

“Thank you, as ever, to the first responders for their professionalism and swift action. This is a difficult day for our city region, but we stand together.”

‘Truly shocking’, says Home Secretary Yvette Cooper

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper describes the scenes in Liverpool as “truly shocking”.

She says: “Thank you to the police and emergency services for their swift response to the truly shocking and horrendous scenes in Liverpool this evening.

“Thinking of all those affected at this very difficult time. The police are investigating and I’m being kept updated on developments.”

Pictured: Liverpool streets filled with emergency services

These are the latest photos we are seeing from the scene in Liverpool, where emergency services are at work.

Everything we know so far: Man detained as Liverpool and PM release statements

It’s coming up to three hours since emergency services were called to Water Street. Let’s quickly recap everything we know so far:

• A car collided with a number of pedestrians on Water Street just after 18:00, according to Merseyside Police
• The force says a 53-year-old man from the Liverpool area has since been arrested, but it is unclear if he is thought to be the driver of the vehicle involved in the incident
• Merseyside Police has not yet released details of the extent of any injuries suffered or whether there have been any fatalities
• A number of tents have been set up inside the police cordon along Water Street and the surrounding area
• Water Street is near the Strand, where moments before the incident occurred Liverpool FC paraded the Premier League trophy
• Liverpool FC has released a statement saying its “thoughts and prayers are with those who have been affected by this serious incident”
• Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is being kept updated on the latest developments and said in a statement that what has happened in Liverpool as “appalling”

We’re expecting Merseyside Police to give an update on the situation at 22:30 BST. You’ll be able to watch and follow live on this page.

Everton FC and Premier League offer condolences

Everton FC says “our thoughts are with all those who have been affected by this serious incident in our city”.

The Premier League has also released a statement, saying “everyone at the Premier League is shocked by the appalling events in Liverpool this evening, and our heartfelt thoughts go out to all those injured and affected.

“We have been in contact with Liverpool FC and have offered our full support following this serious incident.”

As a reminder, thousands had gathered in the city to celebrate Liverpool FC’s Premier League trophy parade.

‘I grabbed my daughter and dived out of the way’

Just after 18:00 a car drove down Dale Street towards the Strand. This was about 10 minutes after the bus carrying the Liverpool team had passed by.

Thousands of people were walking down Dale Street when a commotion broke out and people began screaming as a car drove through the crowd.

I grabbed my daughter and dived out of the way.

The car carried on, as it passed by men gave chase, the rear window was broken.

An ambulance trying to make its way through the crowd was forced to stop by the size of the crowd and this formed a barrier in the road which forced the car to stop.

Eyewitness describes ‘horrendous’ scene

Harry Rashid was at the parade with his wife and two young daughters when he witnessed the collision.

“It happened about 10ft away from us…The vehicle came to our right. It emerged from just right next to an ambulance, which was parked up. This grey people carrier just pulled up from the right and just rammed into all the people at the side of us,” he says.

Speaking to PA news agency, the 48-year-old says the car was travelling south, down Water Street.

“It was extremely fast. Initially, we just heard the pop, pop, pop of people just being knocked off the bonnet of a car.”

He describes how crowds began trying to smash the car windows when the driver stalled, before he started moving again.

“My daughter started screaming and there were people on the ground.”

“I saw people lying on the ground, people unconscious.”

“It was horrendous. So horrendous.”

Liverpool FC in direct contact with police

We’re now hearing from a spokesperson for Liverpool FC, after supporters had gathered in the city to celebrate the club’s Premier League win.

The spokesperson says the club is in direct contact with Merseyside Police following the incident, which happened on Water Street “towards the end of the trophy parade earlier this evening”.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been affected by this serious incident. We will continue to offer our full support to the emergency services and local authorities who are dealing with this incident.”

‘Do not speculate’: Latest police statement in full

We’ve just reported an update from Merseyside Police that a 53-year-old white British man has been arrested.

Here’s the full statement from their spokesperson:

“We would ask people not to speculate on the circumstances surrounding tonight’s incident on Water Street in Liverpool city centre.

“We can confirm the man arrested is a 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area.

“Extensive enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances leading up to the collision.

“We would ask people not to share distressing content online but to send the footage or information directly to us MerPolCC or pass on information by calling 101 quoting log 784.

“Information can also be passed on anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Man, 53, arrested after car hits pedestrians in Liverpool – police

A 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area has been arrested, Merseyside Police says.

It comes after a car ploughed into a crowd of people during Liverpool FC’s Premier League victory parade. It is unclear if he is the driver of the vehicle.

Starmer: Scenes in Liverpool are appalling

We’re hearing now from Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who describes what’s happened in Liverpool as “appalling”.

“My thoughts are with all those injured or affected,” he goes on.

“I want to thank the police and emergency services for their swift and ongoing response to this shocking incident.”

Starmer says he is being kept updated on the latest developments.

Liverpool Council liaising with police

Liverpool City Council says they are “liaising” with Merseyside Police after reports of a car colliding with pedestrians at the Liverpool FC Premier League parade.

A spokesman for Liverpool City Council says: “We are currently liaising with Merseyside Police regarding an incident on Water Street in the city centre.”

This is a breaking news situation – we’ll continue to bring you the latest as and when we know it.

Everything we know so far: Man detained as police cordon off city centre

Let’s bring you the latest on what we know on the car incident in Liverpool city centre:

• Merseyside Police say just after 18:00 they received reports a car had collided with “a number of pedestrians” on Water Street
• It is not yet known how many people are injured or if anyone has been killed
• Police say a man has been detained following the collision
• An air ambulance has landed in the area and there are a large number of police cordons in place
• The incident follows an afternoon of celebration as thousands of Liverpool fans watched the Premier League trophy parade in the city centre

Pictures show scale of emergency response

The first lot of images are coming through from Liverpool city centre. They show emergency services at the scene and the area being cordoned off with tape and metal barriers.

It’s not yet known if anyone’s been injured – or how badly – after a car collided with pedestrians on Water Street.

Police say a man has been detained.

Ambulance service ‘currently assessing the situation’

There’s a statement now from the North West Ambulance Service.

It says, “following reports of a road traffic collision”, its crews are dealing with the incident in Liverpool city centre.

“We are currently assessing the situation and working with other members of the emergency services,” the statement adds.

“Our priority is to ensure people receive the medical help they need as quickly as possible.”

Police cordon off the scene

I’m here on Water Street, where there is police tape cordoning off the area. Earlier, police began receiving reports that a car collided with a number of pedestrians on the road.

I have seen what appears to be at least three injured people being taken away.

The North West Air Ambulance has just landed at the scene.

There is a large police presence and first responders are attending to the scene.

Man detained after car collides with pedestrians – police statement in full

Let’s bring you the Merseyside Police statement in full.

“We are currently dealing with reports of a road traffic collision in Liverpool city centre.

“We were contacted at just after 18:00 today, following reports a car had been in collision with a number of pedestrians on Water Street.

“The car stopped at the scene and a male has been detained.

“Emergency services are currently on the scene.”

Merseyside Police dealing with reports of car colliding with pedestrians

There is currently a large emergency service presence in Liverpool city centre following reports that a car collided with a number of people, Merseyside Police say.

This is a developing story which follows Liverpool’s Premier League trophy parade.

Stay with us and we will bring you updates as we get them.

Mannheim police said a “lone” suspect had been arrested and there is no evidence of a second perpetrator.

The police have asked the public to avoid the area, but said that there is currently no further danger to the public.

No information has been given about the number of people injured or the severity of their injuries.

Police and rescue services have cordoned off a large part of the city centre as the investigation continues.

No details about the suspect or their potential motivation have been shared by police at this stage.

The incident comes at a time of heightened security for Mannheim’s annual carnival. There was a parade through the city centre on Sunday, with major events scheduled for Tuesday.

Police have not said whether there will be a change to the schedule in light of the incident.

Police have not confirmed if the incident was a deliberate attack – only that a car drove into a group of people, and that a suspect has been arrested.

But, Germany has endured a number of violent attacks over the last year, which have left several people dead and hundreds injured.

Nine months ago, also in Mannheim and only a few blocks away from where Monday’s attack is believed to have taken place, an Afghan man stabbed several people, killing a policeman.

Then, in August, another knife attack left eight people injured and three dead in Solingen. The Syrian man who was charged with the crime was suspected of links with the Islamic State terrorist group.

In December a man rammed a car into a crowd at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, leaving six dead and 299 injured. A 50-year-old Saudi psychiatrist was arrested.

In January, a 28-year-old Afghan asylum seeker attacked a group of small children in a park in the Bavarian town of Aschaffenburg, killing a two-year-old child and a passer-by who tried to help the boy.

And in February, a 24-year-old Afghan asylum seeker drove a car into a crowd, injuring more than two dozen people. A mother and child later died from their injuries.

Farhad N, 24, came to Germany in 2016 from Afghanistan to seek asylum, which was rejected but he was given temporary permission to stay in Germany.

For weeks now Germany’s upcoming election, brought by the collapse of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition government, has been embroiled in a fevered debate about migration.

A number of violent incidents linked to migrants over the past year have led to increased support for the far-right AfD party.

After a car ploughed into a Christmas market in the city of Magdeburg killing six people and injuring at least 299 in December. The suspect was a 50-year-old Saudi asylum seeker who had been an outspoken critic of Islam.

AfD leaders held political rallies there, blaming the government’s migration policy for the attack.

Initially mainstream politicians called for calm.

But the mood shifted after another attack in the Bavarian town of Aschaffenburg in January, in which a 28-year-old Afghan asylum seeker stabbed a group of small children in a park. A two-year-old child and a passer-by who tried to help died.

The brutality of the attack shocked the country and mainstream politicians, particularly the conservatives, suddenly changed tack.

In the televised duel between Scholz, of the centre-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), and his conservative rival Friedrich Merz leading centre-right party Christian Democrats (CDU), the first 30 minutes was devoted exclusively to the issue of migration.

They were criticized afterwards for solely linking migration to criminality. Both politicians were remarkably hardline in their rhetoric, effectively arguing over who was the toughest to stop irregular migration.

The two have taken harder lines on migration following a string of attacks involving asylum seeker suspects.

Both believe that only by talking tough on borders, can they undermine support for far-right AfD that is polling second and has made immigration its signature issue.

Frontrunner Friedrich Merz wants to close Germany’s borders to all asylum seekers.

Critics say this undermines EU law, contravenes the German constitution and would be logistically impossible to police.

Others worry that anti-migrant rhetoric legitimizes far-right ideas, boosts support for the AfD and stigmatizes people with non-German heritage.

Either way the AfD remains strong, polling at over 20%.

The suffering of those who have been injured – and their families – will of course mainly occupy many people’s thoughts today.

However, it is also the case that migration and public safety is now even more likely to dominate the final week of Germany’s election campaign.

The latest information is counter to that provided by the law enforcement agency earlier in the investigation, when it said it believed that multiple people were involved.

Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old US citizen, is now the sole suspect. He is believed to have driven a pick-up truck into a crowd on a busy New Orleans street, before exiting the vehicle and firing a weapon. He was shot dead by police at the scene.

The FBI says an Islamic State (IS) group flag was found inside the vehicle he was driving.

Two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were also found nearby, police said.

Surveillance footage viewed by police shows Jabbar placing each of those devices in coolers along the busy Bourbon Street in New Orleans, said Christopher Raia, the deputy assistant director of the FBI’s counterterrorism division.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Mr Raia clarified that based on the latest available evidence, Jabbar is believed to have acted alone.

He added that the investigation remains ongoing with officers chasing leads across the country.

“We have received just over 400 tips from the public,” he said, from people both in the state of Louisiana and elsewhere in the US. Officers are also reviewing hundreds of hours of surveillance footage, Mr Raia said.

A clearer timeline of the events leading up to the attack has since emerged, officials said.

Police believe that Jabbar rented a Ford F-150 pick-up truck in Houston, Texas on 30 December and drove it to New Orleans, Louisiana on the evening of 31 December.

That evening, Jabbar posted several videos on social media where he proclaimed his support for the Islamic State group, Mr Raia said.

There were five videos in total, timestamped from 01:29 to 03:02 local time.

Mr Raia said that in one of the videos, Jabbar stated that he originally intended to harm his family and friends, but was concerned that news headlines would not focus on the “war between the believers and disbelievers.”

Jabbar also stated that he joined IS before the summer, Mr Raia said.

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill told US media earlier that a fire broke out in a New Orleans Airbnb believed to have been rented by Jabbar on Wednesday morning – and that explosive devices associated with the attack are suspected by investigators to have been made in the Airbnb.

Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old US citizen, is believed to have driven a pick-up truck into a crowd on a busy New Orleans street, before exiting the vehicle and firing a weapon. He was shot dead by police at the scene.

The FBI says an Islamic State (IS) group flag was found inside the vehicle he was driving, while two improvised explosive devices were found nearby.

FBI assistant special agent Alethea Duncan said the agency did not believe Jabbar was “solely responsible” and were investigating the incident as an “act of terrorism”.

President Joe Biden said investigators were looking into whether the incident was linked to the explosion of a Tesla Cybertruck outside Trump Hotel in Las Vegas, but “thus far, there is nothing to report”.

The FBI also said it was investigating whether the Las Vegas incident might be an act of terrorism, but has not confirmed the identity of the driver. Authorities said that they had so far found no evidence that this incident was related to IS.

Sheriff Kevin McMahill told a news conference on Wednesday that police were considering whether it may be related to President-elect Donald Trump, who owns the hotel, or Elon Musk, who owns Tesla.

In the wake of the attack in New Orleans, Coroner Dr Dwight McKenna confirmed by the evening that the death toll had risen to 15.

He said it would take several days to perform all of the post-mortem examinations, after which the identities of the victims would be formally released.

Among those killed was former Princeton University football star Martin “Tiger” Bech, according to the college’s athletics department.

“There was no more appropriate nickname of a Princeton player I coached,” Bob Surace, head football coach, said in a statement.

“He was a ‘Tiger’ in every way – a ferocious competitor with endless energy, a beloved teammate and a caring friend.

“Dozens of others were injured during the attack, which took place in New Orleans’ French Quarter – a bustling nightspot popular with locals and tourists – at around 03:15 (09:15 GMT).

“This man was trying to run over as many people as he possibly could”, New Orleans Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick said.

A long gun with a “suppressive device” on it – acting as a silencer – was also recovered from the scene. The pick-up truck he was driving is believed to have been rented in Texas via an app.Jabbar was born in Texas and previously served in the US Army.

According to a now-removed LinkedIn profile, he had worked in various roles in the US Army, including in human resources and IT, before he was discharged.

He studied at George State University from 2015 to 2017, graduating with a degree in computer information systems.

He also appears to have worked in real estate, holding a license that expired in 2021. He had a criminal record, relating to traffic offences and theft.

Video shows the truck driving onto the pavement to get around a police car before hitting people.

The city’s system of bollards – short, vertical posts to block vehicle access to pedestrian streets – was in the process of being repaired, the vice president of the New Orleans City Council told the BBC’s Newsday programme.

That meant temporary barricades were in place, CBS News reported.

Witnesses who had been in New Orleans’ French Quarter for New Year celebrations have spoken of the carnage they witnessed.

Whit Davis, from Shreveport, Louisiana, was in a bar with friends on Bourbon Street when the attack took place.

“People started running and getting under tables like it was an active shooter drill,” he told the BBC. “Everyone was just completely in shock.”

Jim and Nicole Mowrer, who were visiting New Orleans from Iowa, told CBS News that they witnessed the truck drive through a barricade at speed then heard gunshots and crashing noises.

They tried to help people they thought were wounded but realised the victims had died.

A hotel worker told CBS he had been closing down for the evening when he looked out the window and noticed “there was a lot of bodies lying on the ground”.

“The truck was speeding away. I immediately ran downstairs to see if there were some people I can help out and unfortunately some people did perish during that event.”

“The scene was just horrific,” he added.

US President Joe Biden said his reaction to the attack was one of “anger and frustration”.

The White House said Mr Biden had called the city’s mayor this morning to offer “full federal support”.

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry said in a post on X that he was “praying for all the victims and first responders on scene”.

“A horrific act of violence took place on Bourbon Street earlier this morning,” Landry wrote.

The Sugar Bowl, a much-anticipated college football match between Notre Dame and the University of Georgia, has been postponed until Thursday as a result of the attack.

Fan Weiqiu was accused of “endangering public safety”, according to a court statement.

At least 35 people were killed and dozens more injured in the 11 November attack in Zhuhai, thought to be the deadliest on Chinese soil for a decade.

According to the court, the 62-year-old decided to drive his car into the crowds on a running track at high speed because he was “dissatisfied” with how his property had been divided following his divorce.

The court described his motive as “extremely vile” and “the methods” as “particularly cruel”. One witness told Caixin news magazine he had driven “in a loop” leaving victims “hurt in all areas of the running track” – a popular location for people to exercise.

Fan – who was initially reported to be in a coma, having sustained self-inflicted knife wounds – admitted his guilt in front of victims’ families and members of the public, Chinese media reported.

The attack was one of 19 targeting strangers to take place across China this year – including two within a week of the Zhuhai attack.

Not all have involved vehicles. In February, a mass stabbing and firearms attack in Shandong in February left at least 21 people dead. That incident was heavily censored by Chinese authorities.

In total, at least 63 people have been killed and 166 injured in these attacks. This is a sharp increase on previous years – 16 killed and 40 injured in 2023, for instance.

Some have suggested the increase in random attacks could point towards a general increase in frustration and anger as the economy slows and uncertainty over the future grows.

“These are symptoms of a society with a lot of pent-up grievances,” Lynette Ong, professor of Chinese politics at the University of Toronto in Canada, told AFP news agency in November.