Children are among those injured after a car was driven into a crowd in Munich, according to reports.
Police say that at least 28 people have been injured, two of whom are in critical condition.
Dieter Reiter, the city's mayor, is reported as saying that police had informed him children had been hit by the car.
He told the German tabloid Bild: "I am deeply shocked. My thoughts are with the injured."
Video images appear to show a child's buggy in the debris. There are also unconfirmed reports that one woman has died.
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The horrific incident happened after a car, reported to be a Mini Cooper, drove into a crowd of protesters attending a demonstration organised by the trade union Verdi, which represents public sector workers.
The protesters were calling for more pay in schools and hospitals.
Officers have confirmed that they have detained the driver and that he poses no further threat to public safety.
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It is not yet known whether the incident was a deliberate act or just a tragic accident.
However, eyewitnesses told Bild there were two men in the car and that police officers shot one of them before taking him away.
Munich's police force has asked any potential witnesses to come forward, saying they are setting up an outdoor office in the city centre.
In a post to their X social media page, they wrote: "We have set up a witness collection point in the L？wenbr？ukeller on Stiglmaierplatz.
"If you can provide information about the events, please contact them."
The street at the centre of the incident has been cordoned off, and many emergency workers are at the site.
It comes just a day before the start of the Munich security conference, where world leaders are expected to descend on the city.
The incident took place in the city center, a stone’s throw from K？ingsplatz, one of the Bavarian capital's most famous squares.