In a shocking incident that has sent ripples through Munich, at least 30 people were injured when a car, driven by a 24-year-old Afghan asylum-seeker, sped into a crowd during a transport workers' union rally on Dachauer Strasse. The driver, identified as Farhad N., was arrested immediately after the event, which took place ahead of the crucial federal elections in Germany scheduled for February 23.
With the country on high alert after a series of violent attacks, police have confirmed that counter-terrorism units are leading the investigation due to potential extremist connections related to the driver. Chancellor Olaf Scholz has denounced the act, emphasizing that the driver "must be punished and he must leave the country."
Emergency response teams, including rescue helicopters, were quick to arrive at the scene, which was close to Munich's central train station. Eyewitness accounts describe a chaotic scene, with many individuals, including children, fleeing to nearby shops and residences for safety.
The incident also raises pressing concerns about immigration and security in light of recent violent acts linked to immigrants, including those from Afghanistan. Bavarian leaders have voiced their alarm, with Premier Markus Söder calling for urgent changes in response to repeated acts of violence that have marred public safety.
The driver entered Germany as a minor in 2016; however, his asylum request was denied the following year. Reports suggest he remained due to security issues in his home country, which has intensified the discourse around immigration policies in the run-up to the elections.
As the aftermath of this ramming incident unfolds, it continues to put the spotlight on Germany's ongoing struggles with immigration and safety. The far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) is presently gaining popularity, calling for more stringent immigration measures and openly advocating for mass deportations.
This latest incident is not an isolated one, with other violent events in the region, including a recent stabbing in Aschaffenburg that claimed lives and implicated an Afghan national with extremist ties.
German authorities are now urging anyone with information or footage related to the car-ramming attack to come forward, as investigators try to piece together the full context of this disturbing event.
