Attack in Munich Leaves Dozens Injured
A 24-year-old Afghan migrant drove a Mini Cooper into a crowd in Munich on Thursday morning. The incident left at least 30 people injured. Authorities suspect it was a deliberate attack.
The suspect was taken into custody moments after the crash. Officials said his asylum application had been rejected recently. The attack occurred just a day before Munich hosts a security conference attended by world leaders, including U.S. Vice President JD Vance.
Incident Details
The crash happened at around 10:30 a.m. near Dachauer Straße and Seidlstraße. A crowd of 1,500 trade union protesters had gathered there. Witnesses said the driver overtook a police vehicle before accelerating into the demonstrators.
Police fired a shot at the car before detaining the suspect. “He approached the gathering from behind and then drove into the crowd,” deputy police chief Christian Huber said.
Eyewitnesses described chaos at the scene. Some saw a mother and child struck by the vehicle. Others attempted to open the locked car doors to reach victims. The area was littered with debris, including shoes and strollers.
Suspect’s Background and Motive
Authorities are investigating a possible extremist motive. Bavarian Governor Markus Söder suggested it was an attack. “A lot points to that,” he said.
The suspect had lived in Germany since 2016, arriving as a minor. His first asylum request was denied in 2017. Bavaria’s state interior minister, Joachim Herrmann, said he had a criminal record for theft and drug offenses. Although his asylum claim was rejected recently, deportation had not been possible.
Despite this, police stated that he had a valid residence permit at the time of the attack. The conflicting reports raise questions about his legal status.
Political Reactions and Security Concerns
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called the crash “a terrible attack.” He warned that criminals should expect severe punishment and possible deportation.
The attack has intensified debates on Germany’s immigration policy. Conservative opposition leader Friedrich Merz has pledged stricter migration controls. Germany will hold federal elections on February 23 following Scholz’s loss of a confidence vote in December.
The attack occurred just before the Munich Security Conference, scheduled for February 14-16. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. Vice President JD Vance are among the key attendees. However, officials do not believe the attack was linked to the conference.
Recent Similar Incidents
This incident comes less than two months after another car attack in Germany. In December, a Saudi doctor drove into a Christmas market west of Berlin, killing five and injuring over 200 people.
The recent attacks have heightened concerns about public safety. Authorities remain on high alert as Germany prepares for its upcoming elections.
What Comes Next?
The Munich Public Prosecutor’s Office and Bavaria’s Central Office for Combating Extremism and Terrorism (ZET) have taken over the investigation. Officials are working to determine the suspect’s motive and any extremist ties.
Authorities confirmed there is no ongoing threat to the public. However, security measures remain tight across Munich, especially around the conference venue.
As the investigation unfolds, the attack is expected to fuel further discussions on immigration and security in Germany. More details will likely emerge in the coming days.
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