Car rams into crowd in Munich, 15 injured: Reports

A vehicle rammed into a group of people near Munich’s central train station on Thursday, leaving at least 15 injured, according to German police. The incident triggered a large-scale police operation, with officers detaining the driver and confirming that he no longer poses a threat. Authorities have not yet stated whether the crash was intentional.

The incident took place during a demonstration linked to a strike organized by the Verdi union, according to local broadcaster Bayerischer Rundfunk. The union has stated that it has no information about the crash. Police have cordoned off the area and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the event. Emergency responders have been deployed to provide medical assistance to the injured.

Security concerns are heightened as the Munich Security Conference is set to begin on Friday. High-profile attendees, including US Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, are expected to arrive later today. Authorities have already increased security measures across the city, and the latest incident has prompted additional police presence near key locations.

This incident comes months after a similar tragedy in Magdeburg, where a car plowed through a Christmas market crowd, killing six people and injuring 200. The driver in that case, a Saudi doctor with permanent residency in Germany, was arrested immediately. Authorities at the time stated that he did not fit the profile of extremist attackers, and his social media activity indicated support for far-right views.

Investigations into the Munich crash are ongoing, with authorities working to determine the driver’s identity, motive, and background. Officials have not disclosed whether the suspect was under the influence or if there were prior warnings. Further updates are expected as police continue to gather information.