A tragic car attack in Munich has claimed the lives of a 37-year-old mother and her two-year-old daughter, who succumbed to their injuries after being hospitalized, German police confirmed.
The incident occurred on Thursday when a vehicle was deliberately driven into a crowd attending a trade union rally, leaving at least 37 people injured.
Authorities have identified the driver as 24-year-old Afghan asylum seeker Farhad N., who was arrested at the scene.
Prosecutors say he has confessed to carrying out the attack and is believed to have been motivated by religious beliefs.
Police spokesman, Ludwig Waldinger, told AFP on Saturday, “Unfortunately, we have to confirm the deaths today of the two-year-old child and her 37-year-old mother.”
The attack has reignited concerns over security just a week before Germany’s federal elections.
Munich has seen a string of violent incidents involving immigrants, including two cases linked to Afghan nationals.
Adding to the timing of the tragedy, the assault took place on the eve of the Munich Security Conference, which commenced on Friday.
Upon his arrival in the city, United States Vice President, JD Vance, expressed condolences to the victims.
Authorities revealed that the suspect arrived in Germany in 2016. Although his asylum request was denied, he was allowed to remain in the country due to the risks associated with deportation to Afghanistan.
He held a valid residence and work permit and had no prior criminal record. Investigators say there is no indication of ties to jihadist groups, and he appears to have acted alone.
During questioning, police stated that the suspect admitted to intentionally driving his Mini Cooper into the crowd.
Munich public prosecutor, Gabriele Tilmann told reporters that upon his arrest, the suspect uttered “Allahu Akbar”, adding that he “may have had an Islamist motivation.”
The attack comes amid heated debates over migration policies as Germany prepares for elections on February 23.
The vote was triggered by the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition government in 2024.
A series of violent incidents involving migrants over the past year has fueled support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
Just last December, six people were killed and nearly 300 injured when a 50-year-old Saudi asylum seeker, who had been outspoken in his criticism of Islam, rammed a car into a Christmas market.
Another shocking attack in January saw a two-year-old child and a passerby fatally stabbed in a park in Aschaffenburg. The suspect in that case, also an Afghan asylum seeker, is currently in custody.
As Germany grapples with yet another violent episode involving an immigrant, the latest attack is likely to have a significant impact on the upcoming election.
