Germany Fatal attack with car at Magdeburg Christmas market
At least one person has been killed in a suspected attack with a car at the Christmas market in Magdeburg. This was stated by the mayor of Magdeburg, Regina-Dolores Stieler-Hinz. More than 50 people were injured. A car driver had driven into a group of people.
20.12.2024, 22:01
SDA
The man had been arrested, the German Press Agency learned in the evening from government circles in Saxony-Anhalt. According to government spokesman Matthias Schuppe, it was "probably an attack". City spokesman Michael Reif also said that, as things stand, it was an attack.
According to information from security circles, the arrested suspect was not previously known to the German authorities as an Islamist. According to initial findings, the man is said to be around 50 years old and from Saudi Arabia.
Sirens everywhere, flashing blue lights, fire department: a dpa reporter reported that the Christmas market was teeming with ambulances and paramedics. The number of victims was well into double figures. Injured people were treated at a large Christmas pyramid. Several injured people were carried away.
Intensive care beds in hospital are ready
A spokesperson for the university hospital told the German Press Agency that the first 10 to 20 patients are currently being treated. However, they are preparing for significantly more injured people. "We are currently setting up", said the spokesperson. "Intensive care beds are ready. All hospitals in Halle are preparing for a mass accident with injured people, all rescue helicopters in the greater Halle area are flying in the direction of Magdeburg.
"The Christmas market in the city center is closed", the police announced. It is located on the Alter Markt, right next to the town hall near the Elbe. Not far from there is a large shopping center. Videos were published on the X platform in the evening, in which numerous emergency vehicles could be seen.
Haseloff: This is a terrible event
Saxony-Anhalt's Minister President Reiner Haseloff (CDU) reacted with horror to the incident. "This is a terrible event, especially now in the days leading up to Christmas," he told the German Press Agency. He now wanted to see the situation for himself and was on his way to Magdeburg by car. Haseloff was initially unable to provide any information on the victims or the background to the incident.
Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser had recently repeatedly called for vigilance when visiting Christmas markets. The SPD politician said at the end of November that there was currently no concrete evidence of a threat. "But in view of the abstractly high threat situation, we still have reason to be extremely vigilant and act consistently to ensure our security."
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) wrote on Platform X: "My thoughts are with the victims and their families. We stand by them and by the people of Magdeburg. My thanks go to the dedicated rescue workers in these anxious hours." The Green Party's candidate for chancellor, Robert Habeck, also commented on the platform:. "What terrible news from Magdeburg, where people wanted to spend the Advent season in peace and community."
FDP leader Christian Lindner is also dismayed by the suspected attack. "In Magdeburg, many people were victims of a deadly attack," Lindner wrote on X. "The images shocked me. My thoughts are with the victims, their families and the emergency services on the ground."
Around eight years after the Berlin Christmas market attack
Almost eight years ago to the day, on December 19, 2016, an Islamist terrorist drove a hijacked truck into the Christmas market on Breitscheidplatz in Berlin. Twelve people were killed, the 13th victim died as a result in 2021. More than 70 people were injured. The attacker fled to Italy, where he was shot dead by the police.
Following the suspected attack in Magdeburg, police in other cities with Christmas markets are being particularly vigilant. In Stuttgart, a police spokesperson said that police forces had been sensitized on the ground. In Berlin, a spokesperson said that officers had been called upon to pay increased attention to Christmas markets.
