“Bomb thrown in” – explosion in Mannheim café

There was an explosion in a café in the Neckarstadt district of Mannheim in the early hours of the morning. One person was slightly injured, the police said. The background is unclear - the police did not provide any information about the cause of the explosion or the amount of damage. The criminal police are investigating in all directions.

The owner of the café speaks of an attack, someone broke the window and “threw a bomb in,” bar owner Francesco Silva told dpa. Black-and-white surveillance camera footage on the owner's cell phone shows a burning object that looks like a firecracker flying through the front door into the store. A person in the café then discovers the object and runs away to the back. Then comes the explosion that devastates the store.

The police have not yet said anything about the background. It was not known what caused the explosion, an official said this morning. When asked, the police officer ruled out a gas explosion. The injured person was treated in hospital, the spokesman said. He could not provide any further information. This is all “the subject of the investigation”.

Bar owner: “I am a peaceful person”

A shop window in the café was damaged by the force of the blast. Pictures from the scene from the night show how numerous pieces of glass are lying on the street and forensics are examining the café.

According to police, the road was closed for a short time. Tram traffic was also temporarily stopped. The fire brigade was on site because smoke was developing.

The bar owner said he was informed by the police early in the morning and saw the scenes on the surveillance camera images. At the time of the explosion, an employee was still cleaning in the store.

The bar was only closed shortly before the explosion. He himself couldn't explain the background. He owned several bars and had no trouble or problems with anyone, he said. "I'm a peaceful person. I just work."