Multiple deaths after overloaded van carrying migrants crashes near Munich

A van carrying migrants was involved in a fatal accident in southern Germany, resulting in the death of 7 people and injuring 16 others.

As reported by the Frankfurter Allgemeine, the driver of the van attempted to evade a police check by accelerating, which led to the tragic outcome, including the death of a 6-year-old child. 

A police patrol noticed an overloaded vehicle traveling along the highway east of Munich. As the driver did not respond to police signals, he accelerated to 180 kilometers per hour and soon lost control of the van while taking an exit from the highway, causing the vehicle to overturn. Several of the 23 individuals on board were ejected from the van. The individuals on board were identified as Syrian and Turkish citizens.

The driver, who is also suspected of being involved in human smuggling, is a 24-year-old stateless man residing in Austria. He was among the injured and has been formally detained at a hospital. He is currently under investigation, facing charges of homicide and other offenses.