A damaged car is seen after it crashed into a crowd in Munich on February 13, 2025, leaving several people injured, according to authorities. Getty Images
A car rammed into a group of protesters in Munich on Thursday, leaving at least 28 people injured, including children. Authorities believe it was a deliberate attack.
The incident happened during a demonstration linked to a public sector workers' strike. Around 10:30 a.m., a Mini Cooper sped past a police vehicle monitoring the march and crashed into the back of the crowd.
Police arrested the driver, a 24-year-old Afghan asylum seeker. Officials said he had previous run-ins with the law for theft and drug-related offenses. Investigators are treating the case as a possible extremist act.
Bavaria’s state leader, Markus Söder, said, “It is suspected to be an attack—many signs point to that.”
Eyewitnesses described a terrifying moment. One person watching from an office window said the car suddenly accelerated and plowed through the crowd. Another witness, Alexa, said, “It was fast enough to knock 10 to 15 people to the ground.”
The crash site was littered with personal belongings—shoes, bottles, and even a baby stroller.
Officers shot at the car before arresting the suspect. Authorities confirmed that many victims suffered serious injuries.
Germany’s chancellor, Olaf Scholz, strongly condemned the attack. “This is unacceptable,” he said, urging strict legal action. He also emphasized that criminals should not expect to stay in Germany.
The attack occurred just before world leaders, including U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, arrived in Munich for a security conference. However, officials do not believe the incident is linked to the event.
This attack follows several recent violent incidents involving immigrants, fueling debates over Germany’s migration policies. Opposition leaders are demanding stricter border control and faster deportations.
Söder stated, “We cannot keep reacting after each attack. Something must change in Germany, and quickly.”
