After the horror in Magdeburg: Are Swiss Christmas markets really safe?

The deadly attack on the Magdeburg Christmas market has revived concerns in Switzerland. According to an expert, security at many Christmas markets in the country remains insufficient, and the measures put in place sometimes lack consistency.

After the tragic events of last night, a visitor to the Münsterhof market in Zurich told the Tages-Anzeiger of her “feeling of uneasiness”: “This morning I had ideas.” However, there is no question of her giving up enjoying the magic of the holidays: “I feel safe in Zurich. I know the city, and fortunately, no attack of this kind has yet taken place there.”

Faced with the potential risks, the organizers of the Christmas market have adjusted their security system. Vehicle restraint systems were deployed at the sites by police.

Flaws in current systems

Switzerland does not, for the moment, appear to be experiencing an increased level of terrorist threat. However, some cities, such as Basel, Solothurn and Bern, have reassessed their security arrangements in light of the events in Magdeburg.

Sandro Wetter, co-owner of the Wetter group, which designs mobile security barriers, points out flaws in current devices. “We want to protect ourselves, but we don’t want to erect a concrete wall around the entire Christmas market,” he explains to “20 Minuten”. This is why, according to him, many demonstrations in Switzerland are not sufficiently protected.

It also warns against the use of poorly suited concrete elements, which can break into dangerous shards on impact.

The organizers do not know whether these events will affect attendance at Swiss Christmas markets. But the perpetrators of attacks pursue a clear objective: to sow fear to dissuade the public from participating in festive gatherings such as Christmas markets.