A driver drove his car into people at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany. The Prime Minister of Saxony-Anhalt announced just after 10 p.m. that two people were killed and at least 60 were injured as a result of the attack. The death toll may change. Earlier, German media wrote that up to 11 people died, and rescue services quoted by AFP indicated that there may be 60-80 injured. The center of Magdeburg is cordoned off. The services are underway there.
According to “Bild”, the probable terrorist attack – as the authorities of the state of Saxony-Anhalt described the tragedy – occurred at 19/04
At some point, one of the cars driving through the city center changed direction and headed towards the town hall, to the Christmas market. “People fled in panic,” we read.
Footage appearing on social media shows a dark car hitting more people. The number of victims changed from hour to hour.
The first one spoke of one fatality and “many injured”, but at 21 “Bild”, followed by most other German media, reported that up to 11 people were dead. After hours 21 newspaper sources also reported that as many as 60-80 are injured. The AFP agency wrote about the same approximate number of injured, citing local rescue services.
This information was verified by the Prime Minister of Saxony-Anhalt – Reiner Haseloff. After hours 22 at a press conference he said that Two people were confirmed deadbut unfortunately this balance may increase because there are seriously injured people in hospitals. All in all – as he added – at least 60 people were injured.
Last night, the city authorities of Magdeburg published on their website confirmed information that there were two fatalities. It was indicated that 15 people were seriously injured, 37 suffered moderate injuries and 16 suffered minor injuries. According to the Prime Minister of Saxony-Anhalt, Reiner Haseloff, the fatalities included an adult and a small child.
The perpetrator of the attack: a doctor from Saudi Arabia, he acted alone
The perpetrator was arrested immediately after the attack. As the German media write, from the moment it hit the first people, drove up to 400 meters through the fair. He allegedly committed the attack while driving a car he had rented shortly before the attack.
A video appeared on the Internet, probably showing the moment of his capture by the police.
The daily “Die Welt”, citing a source in the security services, wrote before 22. that the alleged attacker is 50-year-old born in Saudi Arabia. The Prime Minister of Saxony-Anhalt confirmed this information, adding that he is a doctor and that he acted alone. The perpetrator came to Germany in 2006, worked legally and had an indefinite work permit.
The moment of arrest of the probable bomber who drove into a crowd of people in MagdeburgCNN/X/TVN24
According to local broadcaster MDR, citing the police, an explosive device was found in the man's car.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz wrote on X that the reports from Magdeburg make us “fear the worst.” “My thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones. We are with them and with the inhabitants of Magdeburg,” he added.
The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs currently has no information about any Poles injured in Magdeburg, said ministry spokesman Paweł Wroński.
“Tragic news from Germany. I am shocked by the brutal attack at the Christmas Market in Magdeburg. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims and the injured,” wrote President Andrzej Duda on the X platform.
Magdeburg. Rescuers at the scene of the tragedy (20/12/2024)PAP/DPA
“Bild”, Reuters, “Die Welt”, PAP
Main photo source: East News/Rex Features