The Daily Star Ireland
The death toll from the car-ramming incident at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, has risen to five, with over 200 people injured, according to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. A Saudi man has been arrested on suspicion of driving a car into the crowd.
Scholz expressed his horror at the brutality of the attack, noting that almost 40 of the injured are in serious condition. He vowed that Germany would respond with the full force of the law to this terrible act. The chancellor visited Magdeburg to offer his sympathy and support to the victims and called on the nation to stand united against hate.
The incident, which occurred amid an election campaign in Germany, has intensified debates over security and migration. Authorities are investigating a 50-year-old Saudi doctor, who has lived in Germany for nearly two decades, in connection with the attack. Police searched his home overnight, but the motive remains unclear. German media identified the suspect as Taleb A., and reports suggest he had expressed extremist views online.
According to Der Spiegel, the suspect had shown sympathy for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, although this information’s source was not disclosed. Germany’s domestic intelligence agency has not commented on the ongoing investigation. The suspect, described as an anti-Islam activist in a 2019 interview, lamented the lack of understanding and tolerance he faced from Muslims in Germany.
One of the victims was a young child, and the premier of Saxony-Anhalt, Reiner Haseloff, described the incident as a catastrophe for the city, the state, and the country. He warned that the death toll could rise due to the severity of some injuries.
Following the attack, authorities cleared the area around the vehicle to investigate a possible explosive device, though none was found. A police operation also took place in Bernburg, where the suspect is believed to have lived.
Footage of the attack shows a car driving at speed through the market crowd, with people being knocked to the ground. Local broadcaster footage depicted people receiving care at the scene.
The incident has elicited widespread international condemnation. Leaders from various countries, including France, Italy, Spain, and the UK, have expressed their shock and offered condolences. The United States has also offered assistance in the aftermath of the tragedy.
