A car rammed into a bustling Christmas market in the eastern German city of Magdeburg on Friday, killing two people, including a toddler, and injuring at least 60 others in what authorities suspect was a deliberate attack.
The driver, identified as a 50-year-old Saudi doctor living in Germany since 2006, was arrested at the scene shortly after the crash, which occurred around 7 p.m. when the market was filled with holiday shoppers.
Videos shared by local media showed the dramatic arrest, with police pointing firearms at the suspect as he lay on the ground before being taken into custody. Officials said 15 of the injured are in critical condition, and further fatalities could not be ruled out.
The incident has sent shockwaves through Magdeburg, a city of 240,000 and the capital of Saxony-Anhalt, as residents and officials mourn what was meant to be a festive occasion. Mayor Simone Borris, on the verge of tears, described the tragedy as a dark day for the city.
“This attack has devastated a cherished tradition,” said Saxony-Anhalt Governor Reiner Haseloff. “Every life lost is one too many.”
Authorities believe the suspect acted alone. “As of now, there is no indication of further danger to the public,” Interior Minister Tamara Zieschang stated. The suspect had been practicing medicine in Bernburg, roughly 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of Magdeburg, but no immediate motive has been revealed.
The attack is being compared to the 2016 Berlin Christmas market attack, where an extremist drove a truck into a crowd, killing 13 people.
Christmas markets are an integral part of German culture, dating back to the Middle Ages and attracting millions of visitors annually. The Magdeburg market, adorned with festive garlands and lights, was filled with families enjoying mulled wine and seasonal treats when the tragedy unfolded.
Police and emergency responders worked through the night amid the festive decorations, now overshadowed by sirens and grief.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed his condolences on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “Our thoughts are with the victims and their families. We stand with the people of Magdeburg during this tragic time.”
Flags in Saxony-Anhalt will be flown at half-staff as the city prepares for a memorial service at Magdeburg Cathedral on Saturday.
The attack has reignited discussions about public safety at large gatherings, with officials urging vigilance despite earlier assurances of no specific threats to Christmas markets this season.
