German Police Accidentally Injure Soldier During Military Exercises Due to Communication Error
A serious incident unfolded in Bavaria during large-scale military drills when German soldiers were accidentally wounded by police officers.
The incident occurred on a Wednesday evening in the town of Erding, located east of Munich, amid the strategic exercises known as Marshal Power, involving several hundred servicemen across the region.
According to authorities, police received an emergency call reporting an armed man perceived as a threat.
When they arrived at the scene, law enforcement surrounded the area, and due to a miscommunication, opened fire—using live rounds instead of blank ammunition, resulting in a soldier being injured.
The serviceman, who participated in the training, sustained minor injuries and was transported to a hospital, where he underwent surgery.
He was released the same evening.
Initial reports suggest the incident was caused by a communications failure: police were not informed about the military exercises taking place in the area, leading them to mistake the armed soldier for a real threat.
The event took place amid the Marshal Power training, aimed at testing coordination among military, police, fire services, and rescue teams in an emergency scenario.
Media reports indicate that the military police may have fired blanks, while police opened fire with live ammunition, causing confusion.
Investigations are currently underway by Bavaria’s Criminal Police and the Landsut Prosecutor’s Office.
Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann has yet to comment publicly but emphasized the importance of thorough analysis of communication and coordination between security agencies.
With broader national security considerations, Germany is also contemplating a return to conscription if the number of volunteers in the armed forces remains insufficient.