After an accident involving a minibus at a suspected illegal border crossing on the German-Austrian border, seven people, including a six-year-old child, were killed and 16 others were injured, some seriously, on the night from Thursday to Friday.
German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said she was “dismayed” by this traffic accident, which came amid increased police checks along smuggling routes following a sharp increase in illegal immigration to Germany in recent months.
The minibus, which was carrying 23 people, including children, wanted to avoid a check on the motorway in Bavaria, around fifty kilometers from the Austrian-German border, near Waldkraiburg, the local police said in a press release.
AFP
The passengers in the minibus were Syrian and Turkish citizens and the driver was stateless, this source said after an initial identity check.
The police and public prosecutor’s office have initiated an investigation into the alleged smuggler, a 24-year-old stateless person living in Austria, particularly for murder. The injured suspect was taken into custody at the hospital.
The smuggler, who was driving the Mercedes Vito minibus registered in Austria, accelerated to avoid a police check.
According to the police, the overloaded vehicle continued to veer off the road and overturned at an intersection between the Bavarian communities of Ampfing and Waldkraiburg.
Illegal crossings usually take place at night, which attracts less attention and prevents vehicles from being stuck in traffic.
AFP
Photos show the overturned, heavily damaged vehicle stuck on a highway guardrail.
The vehicle was traveling towards the Bavarian capital Munich.
The injured, some of whom were seriously injured, were transported to surrounding hospitals in ambulances and four helicopters.
This accident occurred as the transport of illegal migrants increased in the border regions with Austria, the Czech Republic and Poland.
Since the beginning of the year, more than 70,000 illegal entries have been registered in Germany, an increase of almost 60% compared to the same period last year.
According to official statistics, the number of asylum applications increased by 77% compared to 2022 (204,000 versus 115,000).
Recently, the police in Bavaria reported further chases with smugglers who were eventually arrested.
Since the beginning of October, Olaf Scholz’s government has tightened border controls on Germany’s eastern flank.
AFP
The arrival of illegal migrants, mostly of Syrian and Afghan origin, is causing a lively debate in the country, whose reception capacity is being tested.
“The number of people who are currently coming to us is too high,” emphasized Scholz, leader of the Social Democrats, who leads a coalition with environmentalists and liberals, again this week.
The German Chancellor will meet with several federal and state politicians on Friday to discuss new measures to curb illegal immigration.
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“We must put an end to the cruel trade with smuggling gangs” that “endanger people’s lives in cruel and inhumane ways,” said Faeser on Friday.
Since February 2022, Germany has also taken in more than a million Ukrainian refugees who fled their country that was invaded by Russia.
The migration issue, which is high on the agenda of public opinion, is being exploited by the far right, which achieved record results in two regional elections last Sunday.