Deaths, injuries in car ramming at German Christmas market
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The German state premier says the perpetrator of the attack, a doctor from Saudi Arabia, is in police custody.
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Police and rescue personnel cordon off the area next to a Christmas market, where a car crashed into a crowd killing and injuring people, according to media, on December 20, 2024, in Magdeburg (DPA/AFP)
Two were killed and between 60 and 80 people were injured as a car crashed into a crowd at a Christmas market in the eastern German city of Magdeburg on Friday, in what regional authorities are assuming is a "suspected attack".
State premier of Saxony-Anhalt Reiner Haseloff told reporters at the scene that the perpetrator was caught, identifying him as a doctor from Saudi Arabia who acted alone.
The premier said two were killed as a result of the attack but did not rule out further deaths due to severe injuries.
Meanwhile, Bild newspaper, without citing its sources, said at least 11 people were killed in the attack.
Footage from NTV television showed multiple ambulances and fire engines responding as injured individuals were rushed to hospitals, while others were treated on-site.
That CAR crashed into Christmas market crowd, multiple deaths..
— Veda Saahitya Murthy 🏡:🇮🇳 🏬: 🇿🇦 (@SaahityaVeda) December 20, 2024
Driver(Syrian), OLA ho UBER..
Germany 🇩🇪 has only 5-6% Muslims, yet they are struggling to freely celebrate their one holy festival, Christmas
#Germany #Magdeburg pic.twitter.com/7iGYIwga2z
Cries and screams could be heard as emergency services, including police, medics, and firefighters, worked amid the festive market adorned with Christmas trees and holiday lights.
"We presume it was an attack," a spokesperson for the Saxony-Anhalt state interior ministry told AFP.
According to Der Spiegel, citing security sources, the incident involved a black BMW that sped through the crowded market at high speed just after 7:00 pm local time (1800 GMT), when the area was filled with visitors.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed his concern on X, stating, "The reports from Magdeburg raise the worst fears."
"My thoughts are with the victims and their families. We stand by their side and by the side of the people of Magdeburg. My thanks go to the dedicated rescue workers in these anxious hours," he added.
Commenting on the incident, billionaire Elon Musk took to X, saying, "Scholz should resign immediately," adding, "Incompetent fool".
The incident brings to mind the 2016 attack in Berlin, where a man drove a truck into a Christmas market, killing 12 people. A 13th victim later succumbed to injuries from the assault, which was claimed by the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group.
German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser recently urged the public to remain vigilant at Christmas markets, though she noted that authorities had not received any specific threats.
In a similar context, MDR broadcaster, citing police, said German police suspect there is an explosive device in a vehicle.
Moreover, German news outlets reported that the Saudi national who conducted the attack had entered Germany and resided there since 2006.
