A festive Christmas market in Magdeburg, Eastern Germany, was thrown into chaos on Friday when a car was driven into a crowd of people, in what is being investigated as a suspected terrorist attack.
According to local rescue services, between 60 and 80 people were injured, with several in critical condition.
Multiple reports, including from one media source, confirm that at least two individuals have died, one of whom was reportedly a child.
Magdeburg police later identified the suspect as a 50-year-old Saudi doctor, stating that their current assumption is he acted alone.
Authorities revealed that the driver traveled around 400 meters through the market before being subdued by police officers, who reportedly aimed their weapons at him and ordered him to stop.
The police department confirmed the situation on social media, stating, “Extensive police operations are currently taking place at the Magdeburg Christmas market. The Christmas market in the city center is closed.”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed his condolences in a message posted on X, saying, “The reports from Magdeburg suggest something bad is about to happen. My thoughts are with the victims and their families. We stand by their side and by the side of the people of Magdeburg.”
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser had previously urged vigilance at Christmas markets, emphasizing safety despite no specific threats.
This incident follows a similar attack in 2016, when a truck drove through a Berlin Christmas market, killing 12 people and injuring 50 others. The 2016 attack was also considered a terrorist act.