At least 28 people were injured on Thursday when a car plowed through a crowd of demonstrators at a trade union event in the heart of Munich, Germany. The incident, occurring just before the city's prestigious Munich Security Conference, has left local officials and residents grappling with shock and concern over public safety.
According to police reports, the event took place when the vehicle veered off course and drove directly toward participants of a demonstration organized by the Verdi trade union. The authorities detained the driver, described as a 24-year-old Afghan national currently seeking asylum, and confirmed he posed no immediate threat following his arrest.
Markus Söder, the Bavarian state premier, characterized the event as likely intentional, stating, "It looks like this was an attack," during his remarks to the press. Meanwhile, Munich's Mayor Dieter Reiter noted with concern, "Many people have been injured, including children," emphasizing the severity of the situation as the injuries ranged from serious to life-threatening.
The car reportedly approached the demonstration from behind, overtaking a police vehicle tasked with ensuring security for the march. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with one bystander recalling the terrifying moment: "I saw the car drive directly at the crowd and then heard screams." Another witness, Alexa Graef, shared her horror, saying she was "shocked" by the deliberate nature of the act.
Emergency services responded swiftly, with multiple individuals transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. Some of the injured remain critically hurt, raising alarm among local officials about the escalation of violence related to asylum seekers.
This incident has stoked existing political tensions surrounding immigration and asylum policy within Germany, which has been under scrutiny following several similar attacks. Following the event, Bavaria's Interior Minister Joachim Hermann underscored the need for tighter immigration regulations, linking the attack to broader security concerns. "We cannot keep going from attack to attack and show concern, but we must actually change something," Söder stated, echoing these sentiments.
The Munich Security Conference, which is set to convene Friday, brings together international leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. Vice President JD Vance. Notably, the conference is only about 1.6 kilometers from the crash site, intensifying concerns about the safety of high-profile attendees.
Verdi’s chairman, Frank Werneke, expressed his union’s distress, labeling the incident as “deeply upsetting” as it occurred during what should have been a peaceful demonstration advocating for workers’ rights. Werneke stated, "We are deeply upset and shocked at the awful incident during our Verdi colleagues' peaceful demonstration."
Local media indicate the driver might have acted alone, as police are investigating whether extremist motivations influenced his actions. They have called for caution against public speculation surrounding this aspect, aiming to provide clarity as investigations proceed.
The drive-by incident is reminiscent of other violent attacks involving asylum seekers, which have spurred national debates, especially after incidents like the knife attack last month in the Bavarian city of Aischausen, where two people were killed, including a child. Bavarian state politicians have pointed to these repeated instances as evidence of the need for political reform.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced plans for policy examinations, affirming, "The perpetrator must leave the country." His remarks reflect the growing sentiment among politicians and residents alike calling for stricter immigration controls as concerns about safety and community protection surge. Friedrich Merz, the leader of the Christian Democratic Union, added, "Everyone must feel safe again in our country. Something has to change in Germany."
Following the harrowing incident, leaders from both the local and national level have reiterated the importance of swiftly addressing the security issues at hand. Green party candidate Robert Habeck condemned the violence as "senseless," urging for rapid clarification of the attack's background to prevent future occurrences.
The situation continues to develop, with authorities encouraging any witnesses to come forward as they conduct their investigations, seeking to piece together the motives behind this alarming event. Questions surrounding the potential links to broader security issues within the country remain pertinent as Munich grapples with the aftermath of this tragic occurrence.