Like many towns and cities in Germany's western states this week, Mannheim should be full of revelers celebrating the final colorful and joyous days of the annual Carnival season.

Though its main festivities took place on Sunday, Mannheim's downtown still had a celebratory appearance on Monday, with amusements and food vans lining the city's main retail strip and central squares.

Carnival usually ends on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. But Mannheim's festival has ended prematurely, with silence instead of celebration.

Two people died and five were seriously injured after a car sped through crowds near Mannheim's Paradeplatz on Monday afternoon.

A 40-year-old German man has been arrested.

Police and public prosecutors allege the attack was intentional, though not one with a "political" motive. Instead, officials are exploring the role the man's psychological health may have played.

With Mannheim's main street cordoned off and a significant police presence keeping guard........

© Deutsche Welle