KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – At least 28 people were injured, including two in serious condition, when a car drove into a crowd during a rally in Munich on Thursday.
The incident occurred around 10:30 AM (local time) in the Dachauer Strasse area, near Munich’s central train station, according to German media outlets.
German authorities have confirmed that the driver, a 24-year-old asylum seeker from Afghanistan, was quickly apprehended at the scene. The driver had a prior criminal record for theft and drug offenses and is currently under investigation.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing the car speed towards police vehicles before crashing into the crowd. In response, police fired shots at the vehicle and eventually detained the driver.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned the attack, stating: “This attacker cannot count on any mercy. He must be punished and he must leave the country.”
“The government will be starting flights back to Afghanistan despite the lack of diplomatic ties,” Scholz added.
Among the injured were several children, and local fire services reported that some victims are in life-threatening conditions. The injured are being treated, and rescue helicopters have been deployed to assist in the operation.
Although initial reports suggested the possibility of another individual being involved, police have not yet confirmed if anyone else was in the car.
The attack occurred just hours before the Munich Security Conference was set to begin, with global leaders, including Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. Vice President JD Vance, scheduled to arrive in the city.
However, local authorities have stated there is no indication that the attack was linked to the high-profile conference.
Police have sealed off the area and are urging residents and visitors to avoid the vicinity. Authorities have also called on eyewitnesses to come forward with any relevant information or footage of the incident.
This attack comes just 10 days before Germany’s federal election.
