On Thursday, February 13th, at 10:30 am local time (9:30 am Greenwich Mean Time), a car rammed into a crowd in Munich, Germany, injuring at least 28 people, including two seriously. Authorities suspect it may have been a deliberate attack.
Local fire department officials stated that some of the injuries are “life-threatening.”
Munich Mayor Dieter Reiter mentioned that among the injured are children.
The incident occurred at Stiglmaierplatz square in the center of Munich, where the German labor union Verdi was organizing a protest related to strikes.
Police identified the suspect behind the wheel as a 24-year-old Afghan asylum seeker with a criminal record for theft and drug offenses.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing the car approach police vehicles near the gathering and then accelerate towards the crowd. Police fired at the vehicle, resulting in the immediate arrest of the suspect, who no longer poses a threat to the public.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told the media, “This attacker cannot expect any forgiveness, he must face punishment and be expelled from this country.”
The incident occurred just hours before world leaders, including Ukrainian President Zelensky and US Vice President Pence, were set to arrive in Munich for the Munich Security Conference on Friday, February 14th. Local authorities stated that they do not believe the incident is related to the conference.
The location of the incident is approximately 1.5 kilometers (1 mile) away from the conference venue. Police have advised the public to avoid the area, which is currently cordoned off.
Furthermore, this “suspected attack” occurred just 10 days before the federal elections in Germany.
A police spokesperson informed the broadcasting company BR that they are investigating if the incident is connected to any ongoing demonstration.
(Information sourced from reports by the Financial Times and the BBC)