A car drove into a crowd of protesters in Munich, Germany, leaving several people injured, according to police. Authorities confirmed that a large-scale operation is currently underway in the Dachauer Strasse area. Local media reports stated that shots had been fired before the car drove into the crowd.
Around 10:30 AM, the driver is said to have accelerated and then drove into the demonstrators on Seidlstrasse. The police have arrested the driver. Police investigations are now focussed on whether he drove into the crowd intentionally or if he was confused between the accelerator and the brake on the car.
The driver, who was arrested, is not being considered a further threat, officials were quoted as saying. The incident occurred near Munich’s central train station, as reported by Reuters. German news website Bild, citing official sources, indicated that 20 people were injured in the crash.
Local media reported that the incident took place at the site of a rally associated with the transport union Verdi.
On Thursday, many city employees stopped work to demonstrate in a warning strike demanding an 8% pay increase, higher bonuses and three additional days off. To demand the same, the Verdi had called for the protest. It has now been called off.
Police are investigating if the car drove into the crowd intentionally, or if it was an accident.
Munich's mayor Dieter Reiter (SPD) was "deeply shocked". He was quoted as saying by media website Suddeutsche Zeitung: "The police chief has just informed me that a vehicle drove into a group of people and unfortunately many people were injured, including children. My thoughts are with the injured."