In Stockholm, a man hijacked a truck and drove it deliberately into a crowd, impacting a café and nearby pedestrians. This act occurred during a busy afternoon in Drottninggatan, a popular shopping street in the city center. The attack left five individuals dead, including two Swedes and three foreign nationals, while injuring over fifteen others. Witnesses described a scene of chaos as people attempted to flee, and emergency responders rushed to attend to the injured. The arrested suspect, Rakhmat Akilov, was later found to have been inspired by extremist ideologies and had his asylum application rejected prior to the attack. His quick capture following the incident led police to investigate a broader network of potential collaborators or sympathizers.

The Swedish government responded to the attack by reinforcing counter-terrorism measures and increasing security in crowded public areas. This incident resonated deeply within Sweden and across Europe, where similar attacks had occurred in the preceding years, raising concerns about public safety and national security. It led to public discussions about the balance between civil liberties and safety, particularly in urban environments often targeted by terrorists. Additionally, it highlighted the complexities of immigration and integration policies.