Saudi driver plows into crowd at Magdeburg market in Germany

Saudi driver crashes into crowd at Magdeburg Christmas market in Germany, December 20, 2024. Photo: Screengrab/CCTV/BILD Channel/YT/via iKurd.net

MAGDEBURG, Germany,—A car crashed into a busy Christmas market in Magdeburg, a city in eastern Germany, on Friday evening, leaving at least 4 people dead and more than 80 others injured.. Authorities suspect the crash was intentional, marking a tragic event just days before Christmas.

According to the German news agency dpa, the driver, identified as a 50-year-old Saudi national, was arrested at the scene. Government sources in Saxony-Anhalt, where Magdeburg is located, confirmed the suspect’s identity.

The man, a doctor who arrived in Germany in 2006, is currently in custody as investigators examine the motives behind the incident.

The city government reported that 4 people were killed, and at least 80 were injured, including 15 who sustained severe injuries. The other victims suffered medium to light injuries. The University Hospital in Magdeburg said it was treating a number of patients, with preparations for more to arrive as authorities continued their response.

“The scene is devastating,” said city spokesperson Michael Reif. “A car drove into the crowd at the market, but at this moment, we cannot confirm the direction it came from or the exact circumstances.”

The attack occurred at around 7 p.m., during a peak time at the market when many holiday shoppers were gathered. The holiday decorations, including stars, ornaments, and garlands, stood in stark contrast to the chaos and debris left in the wake of the crash. Sirens from emergency responders could be heard in the background as the area was cordoned off by police.

Governor Reiner Haseloff of Saxony-Anhalt called the attack “a terrible event, especially so close to Christmas.” He told dpa that he was on his way to Magdeburg but was unable to provide immediate details about the victims or the reasons behind the incident.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed his condolences in a statement on social media, saying, “My thoughts are with the victims and their families. We stand with them and the people of Magdeburg during this tragic time.”

Magdeburg, the state capital with a population of around 240,000, is located west of Berlin. The Christmas market, like many others across Germany, is a cherished tradition, drawing thousands of visitors each year to enjoy festive foods and holiday cheer.

This attack comes almost eight years after a similar incident in Berlin, when a truck was deliberately driven into a crowded Christmas market, killing 13 people and injuring dozens more. The attacker, who had ties to the Islamic State group, was killed in a shootout with police in Italy days later.

German authorities have heightened security measures around Christmas markets in recent years, but Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said last month that there were no specific threats targeting markets this year. Still, she advised vigilance, acknowledging the potential risks.

The Magdeburg incident has reignited concerns about the growing tensions surrounding migration and the integration of Muslim refugees in Europe.

In recent years, debates over immigration and Islam have become more intense, with some segments of the population calling for stricter controls and deportations, particularly after high-profile incidents like the one in Magdeburg.

Analysts predict that these demands could increase in the aftermath of the attack, further straining social and political cohesion in Germany.

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the incident.

(With files from AP | Agencies)