A tragic event has shaken the Magdeburg Christmas Market on this Friday afternoon, when a driver drove his vehicle into a crowd. The authorities have confirmed that it was an intentional act, according to statements by the government spokesperson. Matthias Schuppecited by MDR Sachsen-Anhalt.
The incident occurred at 7:04 p.m. Eyewitnesses have reported that a dark BMW drove at high speed towards a group of people. near City Hall. The scene quickly became chaotic, with passers-by fleeing in panic.
The driver of the vehicle has been arrested shortly after the attack. The police, along with emergency teams, have proceeded to evacuate and cordon off the area. In addition, inspections have been carried out in search of possible explosivesalthough no evidence has yet been found in this regard.
The perpetrator of the attack, a doctor of Saudi origin
He suspect arrestedaccording to information from security sources, is approximately 50 years old and is originally from Saudi Arabia. Until now, he had not been known to German authorities as a Islamistaccording to the first reports. It has also been reported that he worked as doctor at the Magdeburg University Hospital.
Police have confirmed that the vehicle used, a dark BMW, traveled at least 400 meters through the Christmas market before stopping. Despite the suspect’s arrest, it is still unclear if he acted alone or if he had accomplices. The area remains cordoned off while research they continue.
On social media, the Magdeburg Christmas market has urged citizens to leave the area in an orderly manner to facilitate the work of emergency services. “Please avoid the market and allow the security forces to do their job.”stated a statement released in instagram.
First statements by the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany
The chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholzhas acknowledged that the first reports that have reached him “suggest something bad“. “My thoughts are with the victims and their families. My thanks to the dedicated workers of rescue in these hours of anxiety,” the German president added on his social networks.
Sánchez conveys his solidarity to Scholz for the accident
In a message shared on the social network X, Sánchez said he felt “shocked“for this”terrible” event.
“Shocked by the terrible attack at a Christmas market in the German city of Magdeburg. I just spoke with the chancellor, Olaf Scholzto transfer all my solidarity and my dear to the victims, their families and all the German people”, wrote the President of the Spanish Government.
Von der Leyen asks for severe punishment for the accident
The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyenasked this Friday that the outrage be “investigated and severely punished”brutal and cowardly“.
“This act of violence must be investigated and severely punished“said the head of the community Executive in a message on her social networks.
The German politician, whose “thoughts today are with the victims of the brutal and cowardly act of Magdeburg”, conveyed her “deepest condolences to the family and friends” of the victims, and their “gratitude to the police already the rescuers“.
The city of Hallelocated about 80 kilometers from Magdeburg, has immediately tightened security at its own Christmas market. Likewise, the hospitals from the area have prepared to receive the wounded, as reported Tobias Teschnerhead of the Halle Security Department.
In digital platforms Videos of the attack have begun to spread, where a dark vehicle has been observed charging into the crowd at great speed. Although the images have been reproduced by various media, their authenticity has not yet been officially confirmed.
