A 24-year-old Afghan asylum seeker, identified as Farhad N., drove a Mini Cooper into a crowd in Munich, Germany, on Thursday, injuring at least 30 people, some of whom are in life-threatening condition. The incident occurred around 10:30 local time during a rally organized by the Verdi union, which was protesting for better wages and working conditions for public sector workers. Emergency services were already on the scene, allowing for immediate medical assistance and the swift detention of the driver after one shot was fired by police.
Authorities are investigating the motives behind the incident, which they are treating as a suspected attack, despite there being no current links to prior extremist activities. Bavarian Home Minister Joachim Hermann noted that the suspect had a valid residence and work permit and had previously been known to police for non-violent issues. The suspect arrived in Germany as a minor in 2016 but had his asylum application rejected.
Witnesses described scenes of panic as people sought refuge in nearby shops, with reports of the driver accelerating into the crowd. German leaders, including Prime Minister Olaf Scholz, called for strict punishment of the suspect, emphasizing the need for decisive action against any perpetrator of such acts. The investigation has been handed over to counterterrorism officials as authorities seek to uncover the incident’s full context and details.
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