At least 28 people were injured, some seriously, when a car drove into a trade union rally in Munich, Germany, on Thursday morning. The incident, which is being treated as a presumed deliberate attack, occurred on Seidlstraße, where a vehicle accelerated into a crowd gathered for a march organized by one of Germany’s largest trade unions, Ver.di.
Authorities have confirmed that the driver of the vehicle is a 26-year-old Afghan asylum seeker, who was already known to police for previous drug and theft offenses. Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann provided this information, stating that the suspect’s actions are being investigated as intentional. Eyewitness accounts suggest that the car sped past a police vehicle before crashing into the demonstration. Reports indicate that a police officer fired shots at the car during the incident.
The scene was chaotic, with images showing a baby stroller overturned near where the car came to a stop, underscoring the distressing nature of the event. While the exact number of serious injuries is still being assessed, some reports indicate that a woman may have been killed, and children were among those hurt, with at least one child needing resuscitation on-site.
The rally was taking place just a day before the Munich Security Conference, a significant international event attended by global leaders, including U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This timing has raised concerns regarding security in the city.
As investigations continue, police have urged witnesses and anyone with footage of the incident to come forward. The authorities have not yet clarified whether they are treating the event as a deliberate attack or a traffic accident, but they are exploring all possible leads. The incident has sparked discussions about safety at public gatherings and the implications for security during high-profile events.