- A driver drove into a group of people at the Christmas market in Magdeburg.
- The German Press Agency learned from government circles in Saxony-Anhalt that he was arrested.
- At least one person was killed in the suspected attack on the Magdeburg Christmas market.
- More than 50 people were injured, said Magdeburg Mayor Regina-Dolores Stieler-Hinz.
According to Saxony-Anhalt government spokesman Matthias Schuppe, the incident was “probably an attack”.
Security circles: Suspect not known as an Islamist
«The pictures are terrible. As far as I know, a car drove into the Christmas market visitors – but from which direction and how far I can't say yet,” said Magdeburg city spokesman Michael Reif.
The first injured people are being treated at the city's university hospital. The first ten to 20 patients are currently being cared for, said a spokesman for the German Press Agency. However, expect significantly more injuries. “We are currently upgrading,” said the spokesman for the university hospital. “Intensive care beds are ready.”
There was initially no information from government circles on a possible background to the incident. It was therefore unclear whether it was possibly a terrorist attack. Several German media outlets, including Spiegel, report that the arrested man comes from Saudi Arabia. He is said to be around 50 years old and, according to information from security circles, was not previously known to the German authorities as an Islamist.
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Rescue workers arrived at the Magdeburg Christmas market after the suspected attack.
KEYSTONE/DPA/Dörthe Hein
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Numerous paramedics are on duty.
KEYSTONE/DPA/Heiko Rebsch
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There is a large shopping center near the Christmas market.
KEYSTONE/DPA/Heiko Rebsch
An eyewitness said the Christmas market was swarming with ambulances and paramedics. The Magdeburg Christmas market is located on the Old Market, directly at the town hall near the Elbe.
Various politicians speak out
Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) reacted to the alleged attack on the Christmas market in Magdeburg. «My thoughts are with the victims and their families. We stand by your side and by the people of Magdeburg,” Scholz wrote on Platform X. “My thanks go to the dedicated rescue workers in these anxious hours.”
Saxony-Anhalt's Prime Minister Reiner Haseloff (CDU) reacted with horror to what happened in Magdeburg. “This is a terrible event, especially now in the days before Christmas,” said Haseloff to the German Press Agency.
Christmas markets as potential attack targets
Open the box
Box zuklappen
Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has recently repeatedly called for vigilance when visiting Christmas markets. There are currently no concrete indications of danger, said the SPD politician at the end of November. “But given the high level of threat in the abstract, we still have reason to be very vigilant and take consistent action to ensure our security.”
Almost exactly eight years ago to the day, on December 19, 2016, an Islamist terrorist drove a hijacked truck into the Christmas market at Breitscheidplatz in Berlin. Twelve people were killed, and the 13th victim died as a result in 2021. More than 70 people were injured. The assassin fled to Italy, where he was shot dead by the police.
He now wants to get an idea of the situation on site and is in the car on the way to Magdeburg.
Swiss
