A Saudi national has been arrested following a tragic car attack on a Christmas market in the eastern German city of Magdeburg, which resulted in the deaths of at least two people and injuries to at least 68 others. The incident, described by authorities as a deliberate act, occurred around 7 p.m. on Friday, as the festive market was crowded with holiday shoppers.
The attacker drove a car at high speed into the busy market, hitting pedestrians and causing chaos. Among the victims, an adult and a toddler were confirmed dead, with authorities warning that the death toll could rise as several of the injured are in critical condition. A video circulating on social media captured the horrific scene, showing the car plowing through the crowd, with people being knocked over and fleeing in panic.
The attack bears similarities to the 2016 Berlin truck attack, where a vehicle was driven into a crowd at a Christmas market, killing 13 people.
Suspect’s Background
The suspect has been identified as a 50-year-old man from Saudi Arabia. He moved to Germany in 2006 and had obtained permanent residency. According to local officials, he had been practicing medicine in Bernburg, a town located about 40 kilometers south of Magdeburg. The authorities have confirmed that the suspect acted alone, and there is currently no known ongoing threat to the public.
Local officials, including Saxony-Anhalt’s governor, Reiner Haseloff, assured the public that the attacker appeared to be a lone perpetrator, noting that there is no indication of a wider conspiracy. German authorities have stated that the suspect was not previously known to them as an Islamist extremist.
Ongoing Investigation and International Condemnation
The motive behind the attack remains unclear, and German authorities are continuing their investigation. While local broadcaster MDR reported that the suspect had no known ties to extremist groups, further details are still emerging.
In a statement, Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry condemned the attack and expressed its solidarity with the German people and the victims’ families. The ministry also reiterated its stance against violence but did not comment on the identity or background of the suspect.
This tragic event has left the city of Magdeburg in shock as authorities continue to assess the situation and investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack.
