On December 20, a car crashed into a Christmas market in the German town of Magdeburg, located in the state of Saxony-Anhalt. Two people, an adult and a young child, were killed and 68 injured, 15 of whom had serious injuries.
The province's interior ministry said "it was an attack". Police arrested the driver of the car. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the detainee was a doctor from Saudi Arabia.
"The reports from Magdeburg raise the worst fears. My thoughts are with the victims and their families. We stand with them and with the people of Magdeburg. Thank you to the dedicated rescuers in these anxious hours," Scholz wrote on the social network X.
"The pictures from Magdeburg have shaken me deeply. For the families and friends who wanted to spend time together at the Christmas market, nothing is the same as before. My deepest sympathies are with the victims and their loved ones. I want to thank the rescue teams and the helpers," wrote German Foreign Minister Annalena Berbock.
The weekly Der Spiegel, citing security sources, reported that shortly after 8 p.m. (BST), when the market was packed with revelers, a black BMW drove at high speed through the crowd.
Social media footage shows the moment the vehicle ploughed straight into the crowd at the busy Christmas market.
Dozens of people are seen in the video crowding stalls in the market as the vehicle ploughs directly into them. Some people are seen running away from the vehicle in panic while others dive into the stalls.
Bodies and debris are strewn across the narrow lane as the vehicle veers away from the market. | BGNES
