At least five people are dead and dozens more injured after a car ploughed through a crowd at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany in what is being described as a deliberate attack
Organisers of the Magdeburg Christmas Market have issued a heartfelt statement following the terrifying attack earlier this week.
At least five people, including a toddler, have been killed and more than 200 injured after a car ploughed through a crowd at the market in Magdeburg, Germany, in what officials believe was a deliberate attack. Up to 40 of the injured are in a serious condition according to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Regional government spokesperson Matthias Schuppe and city spokesperson Michael Reif said they suspected the attack was deliberate, although it is not yet known if it was terror related.
The driver of the car, a 50-year-old Saudi Arabian national named as Taleb al-Abdulmohsen has been arrested. Police are continuing to investigate a suspected explosive device found inside the black BMW used in the attack. Recent twitter posts attributed to the suspect, who is said to be a psychologist, mentioned “slaughtering German citizens indiscriminately”.
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A message of mourning has been uploaded to the market’s website, which reads: “We are in deep mourning, and our hearts and thoughts are with the victims, relatives and helpers. The Christmas market and the world of lights are over.”
Saxony-Anhalt regional governor Reiner Haseloff said: “This is a terrible event, particularly now in the days before Christmas.” German chancellor Olaf Scholz said: “My thoughts are with the victims and their families. We stand by their side and by the side of the people of Magdeburg. My thanks go to the dedicated rescue workers in these anxious hours.”
A witness of Friday’s horror says most of the first aid given to those hurt on Friday was by other people who, moments before had been enjoying the festivities. Gianni Warzecha said he had been out with his girlfriend when the car suddenly drove into the crowd.
He told the BBC: “Suddenly there was a rumbling and the sound of shattered glass. People began to panic. I was next to where it happened. For me it was just the sound first. It took a few minutes for first paramedics to arrive, but it wasn’t enough because there were already 200 people hurt. Most of the first aid was done by people there.”
A child aged nine was confirmed as the youngest of five people killed in the Christmas market horror attack as it was claimed Germany ignored warnings the suspect was a danger.
Around 1,000 mourners joined government officials and emergency service workers at a moving memorial service at Magdeburg Cathedral yesterday. Many lit candles in solidarity, while others held flowers and cuddly toys and a large screen showed the service to those gathered outside.
Speaking at the event, Friedrich Kramer, Regional Bishop of the Evangelical Church in Central Germany, said: “The peaceful space of the Christmas market has been destroyed and crushed. We will not give the perpetrator our hate. Instead, we will stand for peace and unity. The safest space of peace you can protect is your heart.”
Lord Mayor Simone Borris thanked emergency workers who selflessly put themselves in danger responding to the attack. She said: “Many of our rescue workers have seen things they will never forget. I am confident we can overcome this grief together with our solidarity.”
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