German Christmas market attack – latest: Nine-year-old boy killed is named as thousands raised on GoFundMe
Nine-year-old child among five dead with 200 other people injured in attack, including 40 critical
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Your support makes all the difference.The nine-year-old boy who is among five people killed in the car-ramming attack on a German Christmas market has been named, as thousands of pounds were raised for his grieving family.
In a heartbreaking social media post, the mother of André Gleißner paid tribute to her son, saying: “Let my little teddy bear fly around the world again. André didn’t do anything to anybody. He was only with us on earth for nine years. Why you? Just why?”
A GoFundMe page set up to support the family has already raised close to £50,000, with its organisers describing André as having a “cheerful smile and joy for life” and lamenting that he will never be able to open his Christmas presents.
Meanwhile, the Saudi doctor accused of driving into the market in Magdeburg has appeared in court, as anger over alleged security failings grows.
Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, 50, was remanded in police custody after appearing in front of a judge on Saturday evening.
In a statement, Magdeburg police said: “The judge ordered pre-trial detention for five counts of murder, multiple attempted murder and multiple counts of dangerous bodily harm,” its statement said.
Far-right supporters seen at memorial visited by AfD leader
The scene of a memorial for victims of Friday’s attack has become more politically charged, as politicians warned of concerns that the incident could be exploited by the far-right ahead of February’s election.
By the time AfD co-leader Tino Chrupalla arrived at a memorial in Magdeburg on Saturday, the crowd was filled with young people who had responded from all round east Germany to calls by the far-right party’s youth wing on social media to attend a vigil, Reuters reported.
Many of the gathered supporters wore symbols associated with neopaganism and other mystical movements associated with the far right. One young man, who said he was from the AfD’s youth wing, wore an amulet depicting the hammer of the Norse god Thor.
AfD, which is particularly strong in eastern Germany, took first and second place in three regional votes this autumn.
Saudi Arabia sent security tips about suspect, German source says
Saudi Arabia had warned German authorities about the suspect after he posted extremist views on his X account that threatened peace and security, a Saudi source told Reuters.
A German security source said Saudi authorities had sent several tips in 2023 and 2024 and that these had been passed on to the relevant security authorities, the news agency reported.
A risk assessment conducted last year by German state and federal criminal investigators came to the conclusion that the man posed “no specific danger”, newspaper Die Welt reported, citing security sources.
Video report | Nine-year-old among five killed in Magdeburg attack
Hospital announces additional day of blood donation appointments
Magdeburg’s university hospital has announced an additional day of blood donation appointments on Monday in conjunction with the German Red Cross.
In an earlier post on Facebook, a representative for the hospital said: “In the midst of this challenging moment, our colleagues demonstrated extraordinary dedication.
“Many of you responded immediately, providing support in the emergency department, the operating rooms, the wards, logistics, psychosocial assistance, or on-site as first responders. Your efforts saved lives and brought hope during a dark hour.
“We extend our heartfelt thanks for your immense willingness to help, your solidarity, and your humanity.”
Vigil held at Magdeburg cathedral
A vigil is taking place at Magdeburg cathedral, with spaces reserved for those particularly affected by Friday’s fatal attack.
Police realised incident was an attack after flood of emergency calls
Police quickly realised that the incident at the market in Magdeburg was an attack rather than an accident after receiving a heavy number of emergency calls, the local police chief has told a press conference.
“The first caller imagined that it was an accident on the basis of what they could see,” said Magdeburg police chief Tom-Oliver Langhans.
“However, we received at least a double digit number of emergency calls and we rapidly realised that this was actually an attack, and not an accident.”
The attack began at 7:02pm and the attacker used the route intended for emergency responders to drive into the area of the market, Mr Langhans said, according to a translation by the BBC.
Many patients at Magdeburg’s university hospital still in intensive care, medic says
Some 80 patients were brought to Magdeburg's university hospital on Friday night, said neurosurgeon Mahmoud Elenbaby.
“We managed to stabilise most of them, but many are still in intensive care, and some are also in critical condition,” Mr Elenbaby told the Associated Press.
Biden says his team in close touch with German officials
US president Joe Biden said his team has been “in close touch” with German officials following the attack at a Christmas market in Magdeburg.
Nine-year-old child among five dead, authorities say
A nine-year-old child is among the five people who have died following the attack in Magdeburg, authorities said on Saturday.
City official Ronni Krug said he did not have further information on the adults who were killed on Friday night.
A further 200 people were injured, of whom 41 were seriously or very seriously hurt, Mr Krug said.