At least 28 people were injured, some critically, when a car plowed into a crowd in Munich on Thursday. The suspected attack occurred just hours before the city was set to host the Munich Security Conference, a high-profile gathering of international leaders.
The driver, identified as a 24-year-old Afghan asylum seeker, allegedly accelerated a Mini Cooper into a group of people participating in a trade union demonstration. The rally, organized by the Verdi public sector workers’ union, was part of a strike involving employees from daycare centers, hospitals, sanitation services, and public swimming pools.
Attack Details
The incident took place around 10:30 a.m. local time, about 1.5 kilometers from the security conference venue. Witnesses reported seeing the vehicle maneuver between police vehicles before speeding into the crowd.
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One shot was fired at the suspect during his arrest, but authorities have not confirmed whether he was hit. He was detained at the scene, and police stated he no longer posed a threat.
Political and Security Ramifications
Bavarian Premier Markus Söder described the incident as a “probable attack,” while German Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned it as “terrible.” The attack comes just days before Germany’s February 23 federal election, where immigration and security have become hot-button issues.
Authorities initially reported that the suspect had a history of drug-related and theft offenses, but later clarified that he had no prior criminal record. His asylum application had been rejected, but he remained in Germany due to security concerns in Afghanistan.
Rising Political Tensions
The incident has fueled debates over immigration policy, with opposition leader Friedrich Merz of the center-right CDU/CSU alliance pledging a tougher stance on law and order. “Everyone must feel safe again in our country. Something has to change in Germany,” he posted on social media.
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party also reacted strongly, calling for stricter immigration controls. Co-leader Alice Weidel blamed the Bavarian government for not deporting the suspect earlier, demanding a “migration turnaround.”
Scholz defended his government’s policies, noting the legal difficulties in deporting Afghan nationals due to Germany’s lack of diplomatic relations with the Taliban. However, he reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring that suspects accused of violent crimes could be expelled more efficiently.
Eyewitness Accounts
Shocked bystanders described chaotic scenes in the aftermath of the attack. One witness saw the car strike a woman and her child, leaving them pinned under the vehicle. Another recounted seeing injured people lying on the ground, some crying and shaking.
Personal belongings, including bags, shoes, and a broken pram, were scattered across the street. Claudia Weber of the Verdi union called the attack “incomprehensible,” expressing concern for injured colleagues.
Broader Security Concerns
The attack comes amid heightened security fears in Germany following several recent violent incidents. In December, a Saudi doctor was arrested after ramming a car into a Christmas market in Magdeburg, killing six people. Other recent attacks include an Afghan man with suspected Islamist ties stabbing a police officer at a Mannheim rally and a Syrian asylum seeker carrying out a stabbing spree in Solingen.
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With the Munich Security Conference bringing together world leaders, including U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, authorities had already ramped up security measures. While officials do not believe the attack was linked to the conference, it has once again placed Germany’s security policies under intense scrutiny.