On Friday evening, December 20th, a car crashed into a Christmas market in the eastern German city of Magdeburg, resulting in a tragic incident. The death toll has now risen to 5, with over 200 people injured, including nearly 40 severely wounded.
The suspect is a Saudi Arabian man who was driving a black BMW car that sped into the crowd at the Christmas market. While authorities are still investigating the motive behind the attack, details about the suspect’s background are gradually being revealed by the media.
This heinous event has shocked not only Germany but the entire world. The capital city, Berlin, has beefed up security measures at its Christmas markets in response to the incident.
On a cold and gloomy Saturday, mourners gathered near the market at a church to light candles and lay flowers. Some were seen pausing to weep for the victims.
The Governor of Saxony-Anhalt, Reiner Haseloff, confirmed that the death toll had risen to 5 in Magdeburg.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, while in Magdeburg on Saturday, stated, “We now know that over 200 people have been injured. Nearly 40 people are critically injured, and we are deeply concerned about them.”
“In Germany, there is no place more peaceful and joyful than Christmas markets. People gather before Christmas to spend time together, drink hot mulled wine, eat sausages, and relax,” Scholz added.
“How terrifying this act is, causing so much harm and claiming so many lives,” he expressed.
On Friday night, the police arrested a 50-year-old man at the scene of the attack and detained him for questioning.
Governor Haseloff revealed more details about the arrested suspect, mentioning that he is a doctor from Saudi Arabia who has been residing and working in Saxony-Anhalt since 2006.
Although the identity of the suspect has not been officially disclosed by German authorities, the media has identified him as Taleb A. according to privacy laws preventing the full name disclosure.
Police believe the suspect acted alone and resided in Bernburg, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) south of Magdeburg.
The motive behind the suspect’s actions is still under investigation. Reports suggest that the suspect was an activist dedicated to assisting Saudi Arabians, particularly women, in fleeing Saudi Arabia.
The 50-year-old man claims to be a former Muslim and has expressed anti-Islamic views on social media platforms. He also accused German authorities of not taking sufficient measures against what he termed “Islamism of Europe.”
German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser characterized the suspect as an “Islamophobe.” She did not provide further details, stating that the investigation is still in its early stages.
A Saudi source informed Reuters that prior to the attack, the suspect had posted threats and extreme views on the X platform account. Saudi Arabia had issued warnings to German authorities regarding this individual.
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement condemning the attack and expressing solidarity with the German people and the families of the victims.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia affirms its stance against violence and extends sympathy and sincere condolences to the families of the deceased, the Federal Republic of Germany, the government, and the people, while wishing the injured a speedy recovery,” the statement read.
Following the car ramming incident at the Magdeburg Christmas market, Berlin is increasing police presence at its Christmas market in the area.
“There is close coordination between security agencies,” stated Berlin’s Interior Minister, Iris Spranger, on social media platform X, adding, “As a precautionary measure, Berlin police will enhance security at the city’s Christmas markets.”
The violent event on Friday brought back memories of a similar terror attack at a Berlin Christmas market in 2016. During that incident, a hijacked truck crashed into the crowd, resulting in 13 fatalities and dozens injured.
Magdeburg, with a population of around 240,000, is located to the west of Berlin and serves as the capital of Saxony-Anhalt.
A firefighter named Christian, interviewed by German Bild newspaper, described how he rushed to the Christmas market after the attack.
“It felt like watching a terrible movie. I walked through a market in ruins, with people lying all around,” he recounted. “The only thing going through my mind was, which one of them do I help now? So, I chose the unattended injured and escorted them to their respective treatment centers.”
This act of violence has deeply shaken Germany and the city of Magdeburg, disrupting the centuries-old German traditional holiday festivities. It has prompted several other towns in Germany to cancel their Christmas market activities over the weekend and show support for Magdeburg’s losses.
Chancellor Scholz and Interior Minister Faeser visited Magdeburg before Saturday. A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday night at the city’s cathedral. Faeser has ordered federal buildings across the country to lower flags to half-staff.
(This article references reports from CNN and Associated Press.)