Munster residents in shock after sunny day turns gruesome

Of all the candles, flowers and messages laid down at the site of the attack, it's a sign that stands out.

In big, blue, hand-painted letters it reads "Warum?".

The question "Why?" is on the lips of every Munster resident and tourist we meet in the city.

When it comes to jidhadist attacks, which many had feared this was initially, the motive is clear. This case, which appears to have no terrorist or political agenda, has shocked and confused people.

One hotelier working a few streets away from the site told us: "Nothing ever happens in Munster. It's a peaceful place. You read the news about these attacks elsewhere but I never thought it would be so close to us. It's frightening.

"And it was such a lovely day, the first full day of sunshine this year."

It's something we hear from many people we talk to in the picturesque cobbled streets of this tourist-friendly city.

The owners of the restaurant that was targeted, the Grosser Kiepenkerl, echoed those thoughts, writing on their website: "What started as a beautiful sunny and happy day, suddenly became black and gruesome."

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While the city comes to terms with the horror of the attack, many are already angry. Not just at the driver, but at the German authorities.

As news circulated that the perpetrator may have been psychological problems, two residents we spoke to expressed anger at the lack of provision for mental illness in the country.

"Not enough is being done to look after people here. We have a big problem with depression and this can spill over."

The Germanwings crash is being talked about. A total of 150 people were killed in March 2015 when co-pilot Andreas Lubiz flew into a mountain committing suicide.

Whatever the motive, this is another European city in shock after becoming victim to what is now an epidemic across the continent and it begs another question - how can these attacks be stopped?