MAGDEBURG, Germany — On Friday, a vehicle crashed into a crowded outdoor Christmas market in Magdeburg, located in eastern Germany, resulting in the tragic death of at least two individuals and injuries to more than 60 others. Local authorities have deemed this incident a deliberate assault.
The driver was apprehended at the scene shortly after the car collided with the market around 7 p.m., a time when the area was bustling with holiday shoppers eager to celebrate the weekend festivities.
Footage from bystanders shared by a German news agency captured the moment of the suspect’s arrest, revealing a police officer aiming a weapon at the individual lying on the ground. Additional officers arrived shortly thereafter to take him into custody.
The confirmed fatalities include an adult and a young child, although officials noted that further casualties could not be ruled out, as at least 15 individuals had sustained severe injuries.
The horrifying event has left a mark on the city, drawing emotional responses from its mayor and overshadowing a cherished tradition that dates back centuries. In response to the attack, several other German towns decided to cancel their weekend Christmas markets as a safety precaution and to show solidarity with Magdeburg.
Authorities identified the suspect as a 50-year-old Saudi doctor who relocated to Germany in 2006. According to Tamara Zieschang, the state’s interior minister, he has been practicing medicine in Bernburg, approximately 25 miles south of Magdeburg.
“At this point, he appears to be a lone attacker, and we have no information suggesting further danger to the city,” said Reiner Haseloff, the governor of Saxony-Anhalt, during a press briefing. “Every life lost in this attack is a horrendous tragedy, and every life is too many.”
The attack occurred in Magdeburg, a city with a population of around 240,000, which serves as the capital of Saxony-Anhalt. This incident recalls a previous attack on a Christmas market in Berlin eight years ago, when an extremist drove a truck into crowds, leading to numerous fatalities and injuries.
Christmas markets hold significant cultural importance across Germany, being part of a beloved tradition that has persisted since the Middle Ages and has spread to many parts of the Western world. Hundreds of these markets opened across Germany to mark the season, contributing festive aromas of mulled wine and roasted treats to the atmosphere.
German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser remarked last month that there were no specific threats to this year’s Christmas markets, although remaining vigilant was advisable.
Following the tragic events on Friday, the festive spirit of the market was interrupted by the sound of sirens. Resident Dorin Steffen recounted hearing the sirens while attending a concert nearby, feeling an overwhelming sense that something grave had occurred.
Steffen described the day as “dark” for the city and expressed her sympathies for those affected, hoping for the safety of friends and family.
The spillover of shock from the attack reached beyond Magdeburg. Haseloff called it a devastating moment for the city and the nation, announcing plans to lower flags to half-staff in Saxony-Anhalt, with the federal government expected to follow suit.
“It is one of the worst scenarios, especially in light of the feelings that a Christmas market brings,” noted the governor.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier commented on the event, stating it disrupted the peaceful anticipation of Christmas. Chancellor Olaf Scholz took to social media to share his thoughts with the victims and their families, reassuring the people of Magdeburg of his support.
Condolences poured in from various figures, including NATO’s secretary-general, the president of the European Commission, and U.S. Vice President-elect JD Vance, who expressed their heartfelt thoughts regarding the despicable nature of the timing of the attack.
The foreign ministry of Saudi Arabia also condemned the acts carried out but did not mention the suspect’s ties to the nation.
Mayor Simone Borris, visibly emotional, announced plans for a memorial at the city’s cathedral on Saturday. Additionally, Bayern Munich’s CEO requested a minute of silence from fans during a soccer match held on the same evening as the attack.
