Munich
At least 20 people were injured on Thursday when a car plowed into a crowd in Munich, just as the city was preparing to host a high-profile security conference.
The event, set to begin on Friday, is expected to be attended by top global leaders, including U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
According to police reports, the vehicle involved was a Mini Cooper, and authorities are currently investigating whether the driver deliberately targeted the crowd or mistakenly accelerated instead of braking. The German newspaper Bild reported that officials are working to determine whether the incident was intentional or the result of driver error.
Munich police confirmed that they had detained the driver and assured the public that he no longer posed any threat. However, they declined to comment on whether the incident was classified as an accident or a deliberate act. A spokesperson for the Munich police stated, “At least 20 people have been injured, some seriously and critically.”
A large-scale police operation quickly unfolded near Munich’s central train station, where the incident took place. The crash occurred roughly 1.5 kilometers (1 mile) away from the venue of the Munich Security Conference, which has heightened security due to the presence of several senior officials.
Eyewitness accounts described a chaotic scene in the aftermath of the incident. A reporter from the local BR broadcaster posted on X, stating, “One person is lying on the street, and a young man has been taken away by the police. People are sitting on the ground, crying and trembling.”
It appears that the victims of the crash were part of a demonstration linked to a strike organized by the Verdi union, according to BR. However, the union itself stated that it had no information regarding the incident at this time.
In response to the incident, police established a gathering point for witnesses at Loewenbraeukeller, one of Munich’s historic beer halls. Authorities are urging those who saw the crash to provide statements as part of the ongoing investigation.
The incident comes at a time when security concerns in Germany are at an all-time high, with a federal election just around the corner and a recent rise in violent attacks.
The authorities are expected to increase security measures as the Munich Security Conference commences, ensuring the safety of visiting dignitaries and the general public.
