Knifeman stabs multiple people on YouTube livestream at political rally

The 58-year-old has since been identified as one of the victims of the rampage. It is understood that he is undergoing surgery on his leg in hospital.

Footage shows the suspect brandishing a long blade and stabbing the attendees indiscriminately.

The knifeman – wearing dark blue joggers with white stripes on the side and a bag on his back- is at first tackled to the ground.

He then manages to stand up, continuing to swing his knife at people at random. A man who then pushes him to the cobbled pavement falls with him.

In the video, the suspect is seen stabbing him with force several times in his upper body and head.

Blood can already be seen pouring out of a wound on the back of his thigh as the victims lays on the ground.

Other attendees sprint into help, attempting to drag the knifeman away – but with no success.

He wriggles away and then proceeds to attack a police officer, who is tending to a victim laying on the ground. The suspect stabs him in the neck and torso multiple times.

With the knifeman not responding to any orders from police, another officer is left with no choice but to open fire from metres away, shooting him at close range.

Police are still to confirm if he has died.

YouTube appears to have taken down the stream, but clips of the rampage have since been shared on other social media sites.

Paramedics are seen arriving to the scene to administer first aid to the victims who had collapsed to the floor.  

A statement from police said: ‘There is currently a major police operation on the market square in Mannheim.

‘A rescue helicopter is also in use. No further information can be provided at this time.’