The day after the car-ramming attack on the Christmas market in Magdeburg, in northern Germany, the death toll rose.
Germany has been in shock since Friday September 20. In Magdeburg, a dark BMW rammed into passers-by at the Christmas market. According to the German press, the suspect was arrested in the evening. The attack left at least 5 dead and more than 200 injured, according to Reiner Haseloff, the minister-president of the Saxony-Anhalt region. He lamented “an unimaginable tragedy“during a press point. The local authorities also specify that they cannot yet”categorize what happened.
According to a woman present during the incident, the attacker drove to the fairy tale area of the Magdeburg Christmas market where a large number of families were concentrated. A large-scale emergency response system was mobilized and tents were deployed to treat the injured on site. The Christmas market was closed after the tragedy and tram traffic was also interrupted. “Extensive police operations are currently taking place at the Magdeburg Christmas market. The Christmas market in the city center is closed”local authorities said on X.
The alleged attacker was arrested
According to a local police spokesperson, the car drove into the crowd for at least 400 meters. The suspect arrested by local authorities is said to be a 50-year-old doctor from Saudi Arabia. He would have rented the vehicle shortly before committing the act, according to the German media. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz indicated on X after this tragedy that “information from Magdeburg portends the worst“, before addressing his thoughts to the “victims and their families” and to “salute the work of the emergency services”.
Emmanuel Macron also showed his support for the victims and the injured following this attack: “Deeply shocked by the horror which struck the Magdeburg Christmas market this evening in Germany. I am thinking of the victims, the injured as well as their loved ones and their families. France shares the pain of the German people and expresses all his solidarity“, indicated the French head of state on X.
published on December 21 at 12:30 p.m., Arnaud Enjourbault, 6Medias
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