A 24-year-old Afghan asylum seeker drove a car into a crowd in central Munich on Thursday, injuring at least 30 people, according to German police. Authorities are treating the incident as a suspected attack, though the motive remains unclear.
What Happened?
The incident took place around 10:30 a.m. local time (11:30 GMT) at the intersection of Karlstrasse and Seidlstrasse. Police said the suspect, driving a Mini Cooper, accelerated into the back of a rally organized by the Verdi trade union.
The demonstration was part of a public sector strike, with employees from daycare centers, hospitals, sanitation services, and public pools demanding better pay and working conditions. At the time of the collision, around 1,500 people were en route to the rally’s final destination.
Police fired a single shot at the vehicle before detaining the driver at the scene. Fortunately, emergency services were already present due to the protest, allowing for the quick arrest of the suspect and immediate treatment of the injured. Authorities have not confirmed whether the suspect was wounded.
A police spokesperson told local broadcaster BR that investigators are exploring whether the attack was linked to the demonstration itself. However, they do not believe it is connected to the high-profile Munich Security Conference, which was set to welcome U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky just hours later.
How Many Were Injured?
At least 30 people sustained injuries, with two in serious condition, according to German authorities. The local fire department reported that some victims were in life-threatening condition.
Munich Mayor Dieter Reiter confirmed that children were among the injured. Several victims were transported to different hospitals across the city, including a children’s hospital and the Munich Red Cross Clinic.
Munich Deputy Mayor Dominik Krause noted that among the injured were employees of the city administration. He also pointed out that many rally participants had brought their children, making the attack even more tragic.
Who is the Suspect?
The suspect has been identified as 24-year-old Farhad N., an asylum seeker from Afghanistan who has been residing in Munich. German privacy laws prevent authorities from fully disclosing his identity.
Bavarian state premier Markus Söder described the act as “probably an attack,” though a clear motive has not yet been established.
Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann initially stated that the suspect’s asylum application had been rejected but later clarified that he had a valid residence and work permit. Reports indicate he arrived in Germany in 2016 as a minor.
While early statements suggested he was known to police, authorities later specified that he had worked as a store detective and had only been involved in shoplifting cases as a witness, not a suspect.
Germany’s counter-terrorism unit has taken over the investigation. Söder noted that while the suspect does not appear to have an obvious extremist background, authorities are conducting a thorough probe. The suspect was expected to appear in court on Friday.
What Have Witnesses Said?
The BBC’s Daniel Wittenberg, reporting from the scene, described seeing a baby stroller abandoned on the ground, along with scattered umbrellas and high-visibility jackets. The heavily damaged white Mini Cooper remained stationary at a pedestrian crossing, as police cordoned off the surrounding area.
A woman working at an orthopedic shop near the crash site told the BBC that several panicked people rushed into her store.
“They looked terrified, and some were in tears,” she said.
Eyewitnesses reported pedestrians sprinting for cover inside nearby shops and residential buildings.
One student, who did not want to be named, said the driver appeared to accelerate deliberately before plowing into the crowd.
“It was fast enough to knock 10 to 15 people to the ground,” another witness recalled.
What Have Authorities Said?
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called for severe consequences, stating that the suspect “must be punished” and should “leave the country.”
“This perpetrator cannot expect any leniency,” Scholz told reporters, adding, “If this was indeed an attack, we must take decisive action against such acts with the full force of the law.”
Söder echoed the need for change, saying authorities would work to fully investigate the incident.
“This is not the first such case, and who knows what else could happen,” he said.
“Beyond expressing our sympathy for the victims and hoping for their recovery, we must also show determination that something must change in Germany.”
As authorities continue their investigation, the incident has reignited discussions about immigration policies and security measures in Germany.
