A devastating migrant van crash in Germany has resulted in the loss of seven lives, including a six-year-old child, with 16 others sustaining injuries, some in critical condition, as reported by the police on Friday.
The accident occurred on the A94 motorway near the Austrian border when the van’s driver accelerated to an alarming speed of 180 km per hour in an attempt to evade a police inspection, as per the news agency.
German newspaper Bild revealed that the overcrowded van was carrying 23 individuals, even though its design capacity was only for nine passengers. Authorities are currently investigating the 24-year-old driver, who is suspected of people smuggling and homicide, according to the police.
The incident highlights the severe risks faced by people as human traffickers endanger lives. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser expressed her concern on social media, stating, “The accident shows the cruel way in which human traffickers put people’s lives at risk. We must smash the cruel business of the smuggling gangs.”
Joachim Herrmann, Bavaria’s Interior Minister, emphasized the importance of reinforcing border controls to combat smugglers in the wake of this tragedy, underscoring the need to prevent such incidents.