Terrorist Attack: Car Plows into Crowd at Christmas Market in Magdeburg

At least two people were killed in the attack on the Magdeburg Christmas market, an adult and a toddler. This was stated by Saxony-Anhalt's Prime Minister Reiner Haseloff. Many people were injured - at least 60. Further deaths could not be ruled out.

According to Reuters, "Bild" reported eleven deaths. The alleged perpetrator is a doctor from Saudi Arabia who has been living in Germany since 2006. He was arrested.

Suspect Not Previously Known as Islamist

According to current knowledge, the man was a lone perpetrator and was not known to the authorities as an Islamist. Saxony-Anhalt's Interior Minister Tamara Zieschang said the Saudi had an unlimited residence permit. According to Haseloff, the perpetrator drove into the crowd at the Christmas market with a rental car.

The car, with which the perpetrator had "raced at least 400 meters over the Christmas market" into the crowd, was still on site. It is believed to be a BMW. A bomb is suspected in the vehicle, MDR reports, citing the police. The area has been cordoned off. The Christmas market was closed.

Care for the Injured is in Full Swing

Prime Minister Haseloff also thanked all helpers and emergency services: "And my deepest regret and sympathy to all relatives and all those affected, who were torn out of life by the shock, even if they were not personally affected." Everyone must now process what has happened together.

The care of the injured is running at maximum capacities and resources, the CDU politician continued. "I have to say, everything is really running like clockwork. And yet there is still a situation here that cannot be conclusively assessed."

Scholz: Events in Magdeburg "Suggest Something Terrible"

"The anticipation of a peaceful Christmas was abruptly interrupted by the news from Magdeburg," said German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on online service X. "My thoughts are with the victims and their relatives. I thank all the rescue forces for their efforts." "The news from Magdeburg suggests something terrible," wrote Chancellor Olaf Scholz on X. His thoughts were with the victims and their relatives, his thanks went to "the dedicated rescue forces in these anxious hours". German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) called the news from Magdeburg "deeply shocking".

Vice Chancellor and Minister of Economy Robert Habeck (Green) wrote on the online service X about "terrible news from Magdeburg, where people wanted to spend the Advent season in peace and community". "The images from Magdeburg deeply disturb me," also wrote Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Green). "For families and friends who wanted to spend time together at the Christmas market, nothing is as it was."

"These are very depressing news from Magdeburg," wrote CDU leader Friedrich Merz on X. "My thoughts are with the victims and their relatives." Merz also thanked "all the emergency services taking care of the injured on site". "In Magdeburg, many people fell victim to a deadly attack," wrote FDP leader Christian Lindner on X. "The images shocked me. I think of the victims, their families, and the emergency services on site."

"The images from Magdeburg are shocking!", wrote AfD leader Alice Weidel on X. "My thoughts are with the bereaved and injured. When will this madness end?" The billionaire and advisor to the incoming US President Donald Trump, Elon Musk, meanwhile, attacked Chancellor Scholz head-on. "Scholz should resign immediately," wrote the CEO of the car manufacturer Tesla on his platform X in response to the attack in Magdeburg. Musk also called Scholz an "incompetent fool".

Terrorist Attack on Christmas Market: Austria's Politics Shocked

"The news from Magdeburg is shocking and leaves us speechless. Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, and the rescue forces in these most difficult hours," wrote Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) on X. "We stand closely by the side of our German friends!", wrote Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP) on X.

"After such dramatic events, an up-to-date situation assessment is of course also carried out in Austria. In addition, the security measures for Christmas markets throughout Austria were increased several weeks ago. Since then, both special forces and civilian investigators have been deployed. The constitutional protection is in close exchange with numerous European security authorities in order to be able to continuously assess the situation," Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) told APA on Friday evening.

"The news from #Magdeburg deeply affects me. Our solidarity goes to the victims, their relatives, and all those who provide help in these difficult hours," wrote Green leader Werner Kogler on the bluesky platform.

"It is simply sad to see the terrible images. The big problem: These images repeat themselves over and over again. Europe has been held hostage by Islamist terror since at least 2015. And those who are partly responsible for this development are still not able to solve the problem," wrote FPÖ General Secretary Michael Schnedlitz in a statement.

Attack Reminds of the One in Berlin Almost Eight Years Ago

Almost exactly eight years ago, on December 19, 2016, an Islamist terrorist drove a hijacked truck into the Christmas market at Breitscheidplatz in Berlin. Twelve people were killed, the 13th victim died in 2021 from the consequences. More than 70 people were injured. The attacker fled to Italy, where he was shot by the police.

(APA/Red)

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