Several injured as car hits crowd near Munich’s central train station

Several people were injured when a car drove into a crowd in Munich on Thursday, police reported. The driver was arrested at the scene, and authorities confirmed that there was no longer any danger to the public.

The incident occurred near the central train station in the Dachauer Strasse area, approximately 1.5 kilometres from the venue of the upcoming Munich Security Conference. Police quickly secured the area, launching a large-scale operation in response.

According to local media reports, the injured were part of a group involved in a demonstration related to a strike organised by the Verdi union. However, police did not immediately confirm if the incident was directly linked to the protest.

German newspaper Bild reported that at least 15 people had been injured, but authorities have not provided an official count yet. The exact circumstances surrounding the incident, including whether the crash was deliberate, are still under investigation.

The attack took place just hours before high-profile leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US Vice President JD Vance, are due to arrive in the city for the Munich Security Conference, set to begin on Friday.

A spokesman for the Munich police confirmed that the driver had been detained and that there was no further threat. They also urged witnesses to come forward as part of the ongoing investigation into the incident.

The attack comes at a time of heightened security in Germany, with the country preparing for its federal election next week. The incident is raising concerns about the safety of public gatherings, particularly in light of recent violent attacks.

Police are continuing to assess the situation and will provide further updates as the investigation progresses. The public is advised to remain vigilant and report any information to authorities.