A tragic car attack in Munich has resulted in the deaths of a 37-year-old mother and her two-year-old daughter, authorities confirmed on Saturday. The incident, which took place on Thursday, left at least 37 people injured after a vehicle was deliberately driven into a crowd attending a trade union rally.
The suspect, a 24-year-old Afghan asylum seeker identified as Farhad N. by local media, was taken into custody at the scene. According to Munich prosecutors, he has admitted to carrying out the attack and appeared to have religious motivations. While authorities found no links to any extremist organizations, they reported that he acted alone.
Several victims suffered serious injuries, including the mother and child, who were rushed to the hospital but later succumbed to their wounds. "Unfortunately, we have to confirm the deaths today of the two-year-old child and her 37-year-old mother," police spokesperson Ludwig Waldinger stated.
The attack has intensified discussions about national security, especially as Germany approaches federal elections on February 23. The incident occurred just before the Munich Security Conference, a major international event. Upon arriving in the city, U.S. Vice President JD Vance expressed condolences to the victims and their families.
Germany has experienced a series of violent incidents involving migrants in recent years, fueling political debate. In December, six people were killed and nearly 300 injured when a Saudi asylum seeker drove into a Christmas market. More recently, in January, an Afghan asylum seeker was accused of stabbing a child and a passerby in the Bavarian town of Aschaffenburg.
Authorities revealed that Farhad N. arrived in Germany in 2016. Despite his asylum application being rejected, he was allowed to stay due to concerns about deportation to Afghanistan. He had a valid residence and work permit and no prior criminal record.
During his interrogation, the suspect allegedly stated that he intentionally drove his Mini Cooper into the crowd. Prosecutors reported that he shouted "Allahu Akbar" upon being detained, suggesting a possible Islamist motive.
With migration emerging as a central issue in Germany’s upcoming elections, this attack is expected to further fuel the political debate surrounding asylum policies and national security.
