The suspect, who has been identified as Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, a 50-year-old psychiatrist from Bernburg, was apprehended and is currently being questioned by authorities. Police confirmed that he acted alone in this heinous act, which they described as a deliberate attack.
The incident began at 19:02 local time when emergency services received the first call reporting that a car had ploughed into the crowd at the Christmas market. Initially, the caller assumed it was an accident, but it soon became apparent that the act was intentional. The driver had maneuvered the vehicle off the road and onto a pedestrian crossing, accessing the market area designated for emergency vehicles.
Unverified footage circulating on social media showed the driver speeding through a pedestrian walkway, causing chaos as people tried to escape the oncoming vehicle. Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as they jumped out of the car's path or sought refuge behind market stalls.
The driver returned to the road but was forced to stop in traffic, where officers, already present at the market, quickly apprehended him. Footage showed armed police arresting the man, lying next to his damaged black BMW.
The attack resulted in the tragic deaths of a nine-year-old child and four adults. The initial toll of two dead and 68 injured was later revised to five dead and over 200 injured, with at least 41 in critical condition. None of the victims have been publicly identified yet.
Local media reports identify the suspect as Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, originally from Saudi Arabia. He moved to Germany in 2006 and was recognized as a refugee in 2016. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser explains that the attack was because the suspect holds "Islamophobic" views, having criticized Islam on social media and promoted conspiracy theories about a supposed plot to Islamicize Europe.
The German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed his deepest fears on social media, acknowledging the horror of the event. Magdeburg's city councillor for public order, Ronni Krug, announced the closure of the Christmas market, stating that "Christmas in Magdeburg is over" as a mark of respect and mourning.
The Saudi government also expressed solidarity with the German people and the victims' families, condemning the violence. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer shared his horror at the attack, extending his thoughts and prayers to all those affected.
The attack in Magdeburg has sent shockwaves through the community, leading to calls for increased security and vigilance at public gatherings. The incident highlights the persistent threat of lone-wolf attacks and the need for effective preventive measures to safeguard public spaces.
As investigations continue, authorities aim to understand the full motive behind al-Abdulmohsen's actions and to ensure justice for the victims and their families. The tragedy underscores the importance of community resilience and the collective effort needed to heal and recover from such devastating events.
On Friday evening, a tragic event unfolded in the German city of Magdeburg when a man drove a car into a crowd of shoppers at a Christmas market, resulting in five deaths, including a nine-year-old child, and injuring over 200 people, many of whom are in critical condition.
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