A car drove into a group of people in Munich, leaving at least 20 people injured as police launch their investigations into the incident.

There is currently a major police operation in the Dachauer Straße area, local police have stated on X/Twitter.

The event occurs as top defense officials from around the world, such as US Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, convene in the city of Bavaria for a significant security summit.

On social media, one witness, a German journalist, reported the incident occurred at a rally organised by German trade union Verdi, when a Mini Cooper ploughed into the  demonstration.

‘A person was lying on the street and a young man was taken away by the police,’ Sandra Demmelhuber said. 

‘People were sitting on the ground, crying and shaking. Details still unclear,’ the reporter added. 

According to Bild, the driver is a 26-year-old Afghan man. 

Ambulances are currently on site as they attempt to aid victims who were hit and shots were allegedly fired before the car smash. Police on German TV have said at least 20 people are injured – several critically and severely.

At least two people are said to be ‘very seriously injured’ and a child has also been left wounded.

Members of the emergency services work at the scene where a car drove into a crowd in the southern German city of Munich on February 13, 2025 leaving several people injured

Ambulances are seen on site after at least 20 people were left injured following the smash

In images circulating online police can be seen gathered around to assess the damage

Footage captured the moment the driver (right) was arrested by police after he drove through the crowd

Following the incident, the driver was secured on site by cops and ‘currently poses no further danger,’ Munich Police have said on X/Twitter. 

At around 10:30am the driver is reported to have accelerated before speeding into the demonstrators on Seidlstrasse.

‘Police investigations must now clarify whether he drove into the crowd intentionally or confused the accelerator and brake,’ Bild reported.

Eyewitnesses have spoken of two men, one of whom was allegedly shot by the police and carried away. 

A demonstrator told German news outlet Bayerischer Rundfunk: ‘I was in the demonstration and saw that a man was lying under the car. 

‘Then I tried to open the door, but it was locked.

‘Eventually the police came and shot at the car window, so he retreated and took care of the injured’.

Munich’s mayor Dieter Reiter told the German newspaper: ‘The police chief has just informed me that a vehicle drove into a group of people and unfortunately many people were injured, including children. I am deeply shocked. 

‘My thoughts are with the injured.’ 

Munich Police have stated they are currently  

In images circulating online, the Mini Cooper can be seen with a smashed windshield and crushed bonnet as police gather around to assess the damage. 

On Thursday, several city employees stopped their work to demonstrate in a protest demanding an eight per cent increase, higher bonuses, and three additional days off.

The Verdi Union had called for the demonstration. 

A pram lies on the road beside a car that drove into a crowd in Munich

Rubbish was seen strewn across the road following the incident 

A police car attends the scene of an accident after a driver hit a group of people in Munich, Germany, Thursday February 13, 2025

Following the incident, the driver was secured on site by cops and ‘currently poses no further danger,’ Munich Police have said on X/Twitter

In an update on social media, Munich Police have urged locals to avoid the area so that investigations can continue smoothly.

‘There will be traffic disruptions around the scene of the incident. Please avoid the area so that the emergency services can work unhindered,’ it said in a post to X/Twitter.

Cops have also stated they have set up a witness collection point in the Löwenbräukeller on Stiglmaierplatz. 

The incident comes just weeks after a car drove into a group of people at a Christmas market in the eastern German city of  on Friday, leaving at least two dead and nearly 70 injured.

The incident comes just weeks after a car drove into a group of people at a Christmas market in the eastern German city of Magdeburg on December 20, leaving at least two dead and nearly 70 injured.

The driver of the car, reported to be a dark BMW, was arrested following the crash.

Bild reported that the car was driven ‘at least 400m (1,300ft) across the Christmas market’, per a police spokesperson.

This is a breaking news story. More to follow.