BERLIN — A 24-year-old Afghan asylum-seeker drove a car into a crowd of people in central Munich on Thursday morning, injuring at least 28 people, including children, according to German authorities.
Incident Details
- Location: A square near downtown Munich
- Time: 10:30 a.m. local time
- Suspect: A 24-year-old Afghan asylum-seeker
- Casualties: 28 injured, including children; at least two in serious condition
- Vehicle Involved: A damaged Mini was found at the scene
Authorities Suspect an Attack
Bavarian Governor Markus Söder stated that the incident is “suspected to be an attack.”
- Munich police confirmed that the suspect was “secured” at the scene and no longer posed a threat.
- Photos from the scene showed scattered debris, shoes, and a wrecked car.
- A man was seen being taken into custody by authorities.
Munich’s Mayor Reacts
Munich Mayor Dieter Reiter expressed shock over the attack, stating:
“I am deeply shocked by what happened. My thoughts are with the victims, especially the children.”
Potential Links to a Demonstration
At the time of the incident, a demonstration organized by the service workers’ union ver.di was taking place nearby.
- It remains unclear whether demonstrators were among the injured.
- Authorities are investigating whether the attack was intentional or linked to the protest.
Heightened Security in Munich for International Conference
Munich is currently under tight security as it prepares to host the Munich Security Conference, an annual gathering of international foreign and security policy officials.
- The conference begins Friday and will include high-profile leaders, such as:
- U.S. Vice President JD Vance
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
- Given the high-profile attendees, security measures have been intensified across the city.
Similar Incident in Magdeburg Raises Concerns
This incident follows another vehicle attack in Germany less than two months ago, when:
- A man drove a truck through a Christmas market in Magdeburg, killing five people and injuring over 200.
- The German government later stated the suspect appeared to be mentally disturbed.
