A horrific tragedy rocked the Christmas market in the heart of Magdeburg on Friday evening.
A driver drove a car into the crowd, killing at least two people. The victims were an adult and a small child, confirmed Rainer Haseloff, Prime Minister of Saxony-Anhalt. In addition, more than 70 people were injured, 15 of them seriously. Emergency services are present in large numbers to treat the injured.
On Saturday morning, the death toll was revised to five. Half a day after the attack on the Christmas market in Magdeburg, it is still unclear what the perpetrator's motive was. The police assume that there are no accomplices. A search in the city center for a second car that is said to be connected to the attack has yielded nothing.
suspect quickly arrested
The perpetrator, a doctor from Bernburg, was arrested by police shortly after the incident. According to the authorities, he acted alone. "The situation is under control. There is currently no indication that there is a greater danger," Haseloff said. Tamara Zieschang, Minister of the Interior of Saxony-Anhalt, announced that the man was of Saudi origin and had been living in Germany since 2006 with an indefinite residence permit.
Elon Musk, the American billionaire and founder of Tesla and SpaceX, among others, has strongly criticized German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on social media. Musk called on Scholz to resign following the tragic car attack at the Christmas market in Magdeburg, which left several people dead and injured. The businessman called Scholz an “incompetent fool” and stated that the German government has failed in its responsibility to protect citizens.
This is not the first time Musk has entered the political debate. The tech magnate, known for his controversial statements, has previously criticized government leaders and political decisions. His influence on social media is huge, with millions of followers sharing and discussing his statements worldwide.
rented car
According to the police, the suspect drove a rented black BMW about 400 meters through the Christmas market. During this hellish ride, dozens of people were injured and great panic ensued. The Christmas market, located on the Alte Markt near the historic town hall, was immediately closed. The police initially suspected that there was an explosive in the vehicle, which escalated the situation even further.
Emergency services have responded in large numbers. The University Medical Center reported that the first 20 wounded were admitted, but they are preparing for a larger influx. "All intensive care beds are ready, and we are deploying extra staff," a spokesman said.
A horrific attack plunged the Christmas market in Magdeburg, in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt, into deep mourning on Friday evening. A car ploughed into a crowded crowd, killing two people, including a child. As many as 68 others were injured, 15 of whom are in critical condition.
The incident evokes memories of the 2016 Berlin attack, when a terrorist drove a truck into a Christmas market, with fatal consequences. The tragedy in Magdeburg has also led to increased security measures elsewhere in Germany. In Stuttgart and Berlin, authorities have called on police to be extra vigilant at Christmas markets. In Erfurt, the Christmas market was evacuated as a precaution, while in Halle it was decided to keep the market open after a risk analysis.
chaos
An eyewitness described the terrifying scene to the DPA news agency: "Ambulances and rescue workers were everywhere. The panic among the people was enormous." Videos appeared on social media showing the huge deployment of emergency services, who stormed the scene of the tragedy with flashing lights and sirens.
A Saudi doctor drove a rented BMW into a crowd of people at the Christmas market.
The mayor of Magdeburg expressed his condolences to the victims and their families. "This is a black day for our city," he said in a short statement. The perpetrator's motive remains unclear, but the German authorities are investigating the case thoroughly. It is not yet known whether the federal prosecutor will intervene in the investigation.
In the aftermath of the incident, Magdeburg is left in mourning. The Christmas market, normally a place of joy and conviviality, became the scene of a tragedy. For many visitors, the shock is great. While the authorities continue to investigate, the question remains what drove the perpetrator to this act.
Magdeburg (Magdeburg) is the capital of the German state of Saxony-Anhalt. According to German media, the name of the attacker is Taleb Al Abdulmohsen. Der Spiegel writes that he came to Germany to study. He is said to have trained as a psychiatrist and psychotherapist and was granted the status of recognized refugee in 2016.
