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| Car mows down shoppers at German Christmas market (GRAPHIC VIDEO) | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| At least 2 people were killed, including a small child, and up to 70 injured, officials said | |
| A dark BMW plowed through the crowded Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, on Friday evening, killing at least two people and injuring up to 70, according to authorities. | |
| Saxony-Anhalt’s Prime Minister Reiner Haseloff confirmed that a small child was among the two fatalities. Initially, BILD reported that its sources indicated up to 11 people could be dead, but later noted that information about the death toll was conflicting. | |
| Authorities have labeled the incident a suspected terror attack, local media has reported. WELT has reported that police have arrested, at the scene, a man born in Saudi Arabia | |
| The attack occurred at 7:04pm local time, when the vehicle reportedly sped 400 meters through the festive market near the city’s historic town hall, sending panicked shoppers fleeing in all directions. Witnesses described the car driving directly into the crowd as terrified screams echoed through the street. | The attack occurred at 7:04pm local time, when the vehicle reportedly sped 400 meters through the festive market near the city’s historic town hall, sending panicked shoppers fleeing in all directions. Witnesses described the car driving directly into the crowd as terrified screams echoed through the street. |
| Paramedics rushed to the scene, setting up emergency tents to treat the wounded. The first wave of patients — 10 to 20 people — were transported to University Hospital Magdeburg, which prepared additional intensive care beds. | Paramedics rushed to the scene, setting up emergency tents to treat the wounded. The first wave of patients — 10 to 20 people — were transported to University Hospital Magdeburg, which prepared additional intensive care beds. |
| Authorities arrested the driver at the scene. According to security sources cited by WELT newspaper, the suspect is reportedly a 49-year-old man from Saudi Arabia who rented the vehicle shortly before the attack. Police are investigating whether he acted alone. | Authorities arrested the driver at the scene. According to security sources cited by WELT newspaper, the suspect is reportedly a 49-year-old man from Saudi Arabia who rented the vehicle shortly before the attack. Police are investigating whether he acted alone. |
| One unconfirmed graphic video circulating on social media shows the car plowing into the crowded market. Another shows people lying on the ground and a massive police presence in the area. The authenticity of this video has also not been confirmed. | |
| Die größte Gefahr in diesem Land geht von der Politik der offenen Grenzen aus.#Magdeburgpic.twitter.com/vVgv22plkV | |
| “This is a terrible event, especially now in the days before Christmas,” said Haseloff, who traveled to Magdeburg to assess the situation. “The pictures are terrible,” added city spokesman Michael Reif. | |
| German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed his condolences on social media: “The reports from Magdeburg suggest bad things. My thoughts are with the victims and their families. We stand by their side and by the people of Magdeburg.” | German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed his condolences on social media: “The reports from Magdeburg suggest bad things. My thoughts are with the victims and their families. We stand by their side and by the people of Magdeburg.” |
| Was ist in Magdeburg passiert? Das Übliche mal wieder?#weihnachtsmarkt#Magdeburgpic.twitter.com/8w28WvgbRn | |
| Political leaders across the country voiced shock. CDU leader Friedrich Merz wrote: “This is very devastating news from Magdeburg. My thoughts are with the victims and their relatives. I thank the emergency services caring for the wounded.” | Political leaders across the country voiced shock. CDU leader Friedrich Merz wrote: “This is very devastating news from Magdeburg. My thoughts are with the victims and their relatives. I thank the emergency services caring for the wounded.” |
| AfD leader Alice Weidel added: “The pictures from Magdeburg are shocking! My thoughts are with the bereaved and wounded. When will this madness end?” | AfD leader Alice Weidel added: “The pictures from Magdeburg are shocking! My thoughts are with the bereaved and wounded. When will this madness end?” |
| Authorities have closed the Christmas market and are urging the public to avoid the area. “Please let emergency services do their work and leave the market in an orderly manner,” organizers warned on Instagram. | Authorities have closed the Christmas market and are urging the public to avoid the area. “Please let emergency services do their work and leave the market in an orderly manner,” organizers warned on Instagram. |
| The investigation into the driver’s identity and motive is ongoing. Further updates on casualties and the situation are expected. | The investigation into the driver’s identity and motive is ongoing. Further updates on casualties and the situation are expected. |
| Located west of Berlin, Magdeburg is the state capital of Saxony-Anhalt, with a population of about 240,000. | Located west of Berlin, Magdeburg is the state capital of Saxony-Anhalt, with a population of about 240,000. |