A 24-year-old Afghan asylum seeker reportedly drove into a crowd in Munich, injuring over 30 people, including children. The police suspect it to be an attack linked to a trade union rally, while authorities search for motives behind the incident and the suspect's background.
Munich Car Attack: Insights into the Suspected Motive and Victims
Munich Car Attack: Insights into the Suspected Motive and Victims
A suspected car attack in Munich has raised concerns after an Afghan asylum seeker injured at least 30 people during a public sector workers' rally.
A car driven by a 24-year-old Afghan asylum seeker crashed into a crowd gathered for a trade union rally in Munich on Thursday, injuring at least 30 people, according to police reports. Officers are treating this incident as a suspected attack.
The vehicle, identified as a Mini Cooper, accelerated and struck participants at the rally held by the Verdi trade union amid a public sector workers' strike demanding better pay and more vacation time. The collision occurred at the intersection of Karlstrasse and Seidlstrasse around 10:30 AM local time, as approximately 1,500 people were en route to the rally's concluding location not far from the impact site.
Quick police intervention, including a warning shot fired at the vehicle, led to the rapid detention of the suspect. Emergency services were already in the vicinity due to the rally, facilitating swift medical attention for the injured. Initial reports indicated two individuals sustained serious injuries, while local fire services noted that some were in critical condition. Among the casualties, children were reportedly present, further intensifying public outrage over the incident.
The suspect, named Farhad N, has been identified as an Afghan asylum seeker who has lived in Munich since arriving in Germany as a minor in 2016. German authorities confirmed his asylum application had been rejected, but he had not been expelled due to security concerns, and maintained a valid residence and work permit. While Bavaria's state premier Markus Söder referred to the case as "probably an attack," no clear motive has yet been established.
Witness accounts from the scene painted a chaotic picture, with people seeking refuge as the vehicle barreled toward them. A local shop worker described the panic, as victims rushed into her store seeking safety. Eyewitnesses reported that the car's speed was sufficient to knock multiple individuals to the ground, leading to horrifying scenes strewn with prams and umbrellas.
In response to the incident, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned the attack, expressing the need for the perpetrator to be punished severely and indicating that the country must adopt a firmer stance against potential threats. Bavarian officials are currently investigating the situation further, with counter-terrorism units involved.
As authorities continue to unravel details of the incident, the community remains in shock over the brutal act during what was meant to be a peaceful demonstration, urging a reassessment of safety measures within Germany.
