At least 28 people have been injured after a car drove into a demonstration in Germany’s third biggest city of Munich on Thursday.
Local politician Markus Söder described the incident as a “suspected attack.”
Police, who were initially cautious about confirming whether it was a deliberate attack or an accident, said the driver was a 24-year-old asylum seeker from Afghanistan. They said the driver had been apprehended and they believed there was no further threat to the public.
Munich is currently gearing up for the Munich Security Conference this weekend, which will host hundreds of international figures including U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who is due to have a high stakes meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The incident has also coincided with the opening of the Berlin Film Festival this evening gathering some 15,000 international cinema professionals over the coming days.
While Berlin is some 313 miles (504 km) away, security – involving bag checks and road barriers – is expected to be tight around the ceremony.
“The Berlinale wants all visitors to feel safe so that they can fully enjoy their visit to the festival and EFM. Current risk situations are constantly monitored and assessed – also in co-operation with the security authorities,” commented a spokesperson for the festival.
“In general, Berlinale events are subject to high security standards that have been developed on the basis of specific risk assessment. We are able to adjust the security measures accordingly at any time, even at short notice, for example by increasing security personnel and stepping up checks,” they added. “We also have structural driveway protection at the Potsdamer Platz sites and at the Gropius Bau.”
The Munich incident is likely to enflame debate in Germany over its immigration policy in the lead up to general elections on February 23, in which the far-right, anti-immigrant AfD is polling strongly in certain parts of the country.
It also comes just two months after an attack on a Christmas market in the city of Magdeburg in December, in which six people died and 300 were injured when a long-time Saudi-born resident and doctor drove his car into stall-holders and shoppers.
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