A tragic incident occurred at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, where a car drove into a crowd, resulting in the deaths of two people, including a child, and injuring dozens more. Officials reported that 68 individuals were injured, with 15 sustaining serious injuries.
The premier of Saxony-Anhalt, Reiner Haseloff, confirmed that a 50-year-old Saudi citizen, who had been living in Germany since 2006 and worked as a doctor, was arrested as the suspect. A preliminary investigation indicates that he acted alone, though further inquiries are ongoing. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, and the suspect has no known connections to Islamist extremism.
Eyewitness footage showed emergency services responding to the scene, where people were found lying on the ground. Unverified videos on social media appeared to capture the moment the car struck the crowd. A spokesperson for Magdeburg stated that local hospitals were preparing for a “mass casualty event,” while around 100 firefighters and 50 rescue personnel were deployed to assist.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed his concerns, stating, “Reports from Magdeburg lead us to fear the worst.” He extended his thoughts to the victims and their families, asserting support for the residents of Magdeburg. Scholz is expected to visit the city on Saturday.
Shortly after the incident, market organizers announced the closure of the event, urging the public to allow emergency services to do their work. Eyewitness accounts described the chaos, with one resident, Nadine, recounting how her boyfriend was struck by the vehicle.
Journalist Lars Frohmüller reported seeing “blood on the floor” and medical professionals working diligently to aid the injured. The incident coincided with a football match in the city, where the local team offered their condolences to the victims and their families.
This attack raises chilling memories of previous Christmas market incidents in Germany, most notably the 2016 attack in Berlin, where a truck was driven into a market, killing 12 people and injuring 49. French President Emmanuel Macron extended his solidarity to Germany, expressing shared grief over this latest tragedy.
Credit: BBC News
