A 24-year-old Afghan asylum seeker rammed his car into a trade union march in central Munich on Thursday morning, injuring at least 28 people. Some victims remain in serious condition, adding fuel to an already heated debate over migration ahead of Germany’s Feb. 23 election.
According to Munich police, the attacker accelerated from behind, overtook a police escort vehicle, and crashed directly into the marchers. Officers subdued him at the scene, confirming he no longer posed a threat.
The attack unfolded just a day before the high-profile Munich Security Conference, set to host leaders like U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. While officials have not linked the incident to the conference, Munich Mayor Dieter Reiter stressed the need for a thorough investigation into the perpetrator’s motives.
The crash occurred on Dachauer Strasse, not far from the city’s historic center and just a 20-minute walk from the conference venue. Authorities continue to examine whether the attack was premeditated or politically motivated.
