At least 13 people were injured, several seriously, when a German military employee ploughed into a crowd of soldiers in his car on Monday, a police spokesperson said.

According to rolling news channel N24, the wounded were soldiers at a military base in Bad Salzungen, central Germany, who were preparing to take part in an exercise.

A military spokesperson said it appeared to be an accident, rather than a deliberate attack.

Around 10 ambulances and three helicopters were at the scene, N24 reported. It was not immediately clear whether the driver of the Mercedes was a soldier or another military employee.