In a terrifying incident in Munich on Thursday, at least 28 people, including children, were injured when an Afghan asylum seeker drove his car into a group of service workers’ union demonstrators. Authorities are treating the incident as a deliberate attack, and the suspect has been arrested.
At around 10:30 a.m., participants in the demonstration were walking along a street when the vehicle overtook a police car, accelerated, and crashed into the back of the group. Police responded swiftly, arresting the suspect after firing a shot at the car. Several of the injured were taken to the hospital, some in serious condition.
The suspect, who has been identified as an Afghan asylum seeker, is currently in police custody. Authorities believe this was not a random act, but rather a targeted attack on the protesters. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has condemned the incident, stating that the man “cannot hope for any leniency.” Scholz emphasized that the perpetrator must face punishment and be expelled from Germany. He added, “If it was an attack, we must take consistent action against possible perpetrators with all means of justice.”
Details of the Suspect and Investigation
Bavaria’s state interior minister, Joachim Herrmann, confirmed that the suspect had a history of minor criminal activity, including theft and drug-related offenses. However, no further details have been provided regarding his background. The state’s justice minister, Georg Eisenreich, revealed that prosecutors specializing in extremism and terrorism are now investigating the case, though authorities have yet to confirm a motive.
Bavarian Governor Markus Söder expressed his shock at the incident, stating, “It is simply terrible. We feel with the victims, we are praying for the victims — we hope very much that they all make it.” Söder added that while the attack is suspected to have been deliberate, investigations are ongoing.
Past Incidents and Concerns Over Public Safety
This attack follows a similar tragedy from last year in which six people were killed and over 200 injured in Magdeburg, Germany, when a Saudi doctor drove into a crowded Christmas market. The Magdeburg attack raised concerns about public safety and the potential for future extremist acts, as the suspect in that case, although not fitting the typical profile of extremist perpetrators, was reportedly critical of Islam and expressed far-right sympathies on social media.
Germany has experienced several such incidents in recent years, with authorities tightening security measures and increasing vigilance in response to rising concerns about public safety. The Munich attack is still under investigation, and German officials have vowed to take decisive action in bringing those responsible to justice.
As authorities continue their inquiries, the country remains on edge, grappling with both the immediate impact of this horrific incident and the larger questions it raises about extremism, asylum seekers, and public security in Germany.
