At least 28 people were injured, some of them critically, when a car drove deliberately through a crowd participating in a demonstration organized by the Verdi trade union in Munich on Thursday morning. The incident, classified by state officials as likely an attack, took place around 10:30 am (09:30 GMT) near the city center, approximately 1.5 kilometers from the venue of the Munich Security Conference.
The driver of the vehicle, identified as Farhad N., is a 24-year-old Afghan asylum seeker who reportedly has had previous encounters with police for drug-related offenses and petty theft. Bavarian Governor Markus Söder described the event as “probably an attack,” reflecting the heightened concerns over security amid the political climate leading up to Germany’s federal elections on February 23. “This shows something’s got to change in Germany,” he said, underscoring the need for legislative action on immigration and public safety.
The chaos erupted as members of the Verdi trade union gathered for protests associated with their demand for higher wages and improved conditions for public sector employees, including workers from daycare centers and hospitals. Eyewitnesses reported the car weaving through police vehicles cordoning off the area around 1.5 kilometers from the high-stakes international conference, before accelerating and plowing through the crowd. Video footage showcased the aftermath — demonstrators found sitting on the ground, crying, and panic-stricken.
Mayor Dieter Reiter expressed his shock over the serious injuries among the victims, including children. “I am deeply shocked,” he stated, as reports emerged detailing the scene where victims lay injured, appealing for help. Local media highlighted the vulnerability of the situation, particularly as many of those involved were engaged peacefully at the demonstration when the vehicle struck.
Details about the driver and his background raised alarm among local authorities. Initially taken under police custody without any perceived risk of continued violence, Farhad N. now faces scrutiny as investigations reveal he expressed support for extremist ideologies on social media before the incident. While the motivations behind the attack remain unclear, regional police spokesperson Thomas Schelshorn stated, “What motive the perpetrator had for driving this vehicle remains to be clarified.”
Notably, the attack has intensified discussions about the safety of public demonstrations and the greater need for stringent security measures, especially considering the arrival of world leaders like US Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attending the Munich Security Conference shortly after the incident.
Reports about the victims’ injuries highlighted the urgent nature of the response. According to police, some victims sustained severe injuries, with emergency services performing several rescues and attempting to secure the scene amid the tumult. Witnesses recounted moments of horror as the vehicle struck demonstrators, many describing scenes unfit for public view — the sight of people lying prone on the ground, and cries for help filling the air.
Local law enforcement has reinforced security around key areas, including the city’s central train station, as inquiries continue to establish if the violent act was consciously deliberate. Politicians, as well as the public, echoed sentiments of fear and outrage, with local journalist Sandra Demmelhuber writing, “There is a person lying in the street and... People are sitting crying and shaking on the ground.”
This incident has reignited Germany’s complex discussions on immigration and public safety. The nation is still recovering from prior violent events linked to migrants, generating divisive political rhetoric as parties prepare for the elections. “We feel for the victims and hope very much everyone will make it,” Söder added, emphasizing the urgency of re-evaluated policies addressing public safety and immigration.
At its core, the Munich car-ramming incident is every bit as significant as the global leaders set to converge nearby for discussions around security. It serves as both a wake-up call to authorities and society at large, demanding immediate responses to mitigate such tragedies from reoccurring. Amid the backdrop of rising immigration debates and public safety threats, this attack emphasizes the dire necessity for policy reforms as discussions around the future of Germany’s security grow increasingly relevant.