German Christmas market attack - latest: Death toll rises to four and suspect named after car rams into crowd
At least 41 people seriously injured
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Your support makes all the difference.At least four people have now died after a car ploughed into a busy Christmas market in eastern Germany, local media has reported.
According to German newspaper Bild, the number of those seriously injured has also risen to 41. Its report stated that 86 people are receiving hospital treatment for their injuries and another 78 have sustained minor injuries.
Among the dead is a toddler, who was confirmed to have been killed on Friday following the attack at around 7pm.
Police have arrested a 50-year-old Saudi doctor identified by local media as Taleb A., who had lived in Germany since 2006 and reportedly sympathised with Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany party.
The attack sparked global condemnation from world leaders, including UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, who said he is “horrified” by the “atrocious attack”.
“I am horrified by the atrocious attack in Magdeburg tonight,” the prime minister said. “My thoughts are with the victims, their families and all those affected.”
Pinned post: Everything we know so far
- At least four people have been killed. An adult and a small child are among the dead.
- 68 injured, including 15 who were hurt very seriously.
- 37 people had injuries of medium severity and 16 were lightly injured.
- The suspect is believed to be a 50-year-old Saudi doctor, identified as Taleb A. by local media
- It is believed he supported the Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany party, with a Saudi source telling Reuters he had posted extremist views on his personal X account.
- German media previously reported that police suspected explosives were in the suspect’s car. They later confirmed none were found.
Pictured: Olaf Scholz arrives in Magdeburg to make statement
German chancellor to give statement
German chancellor Olaf Scholz is expected to give a statement in the next hour.
We will be reporting what he says on this live blog.
UK Foreign Office ‘closely monitoring situation'
The Foreign Office said it is “closely monitoring the situation” in Germany after a car ploughed into crowds of shoppers at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, killing at least two.
A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said: “We are in contact with the German authorities following an incident in the city of Magdeburg and are closely monitoring the situation.
“Our thoughts are with all those affected.”
Magdeburg market will not re-open
The Magdeburg Christmas market will not re-open this year after at least four people were killed by a car ramming into the crowd on Friday night.
On Saturday morning, members of the city council gathered near the cordoned-off market.
The city’s deputy for personnel, citizen services and public order Ronni Krug, told local media: “People have died here. If you open a market, that means that people will drink mulled wine and eat where people have died. I cannot approve of that and it will not happen as long as I have a say here.”
Watch: Video appears to show arrest after German Christmas market attack
Death toll rises to 4
The death toll in a car-ramming attack at a Christmas market in the German city of Magdeburg has risen to four people, and 41 others were gravely injured, the Bild newspaper reported on Saturday.
Eighty-six people are receiving hospital treatment for serious injuries incurred in the incident on Friday evening in the central city, while another 78 sustained minor injuries, the report said.
Police were not immediately available to comment on casualties. Local officials had initially said it least two people were killed and had warned that the toll could rise.
What do we know about the suspect?
Police have arrested a 50-year-old Saudi doctor after a car ploughed into a German Christmas market.
He has been identified by local media as Taleb A., a specialist in psychiatry and psychotherapy who sympathised with Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany party.
Memorial will take place at Magdeburg cathedral today
Magdeburg Mayor Simone Borris said officials plan to arrange a memorial at the city’s cathedral on Saturday.
The mayor was reported to be on the verge of tears following the attack, which has shaken the German city and the country.
‘We walked over the dead’ - police officer
A police officer who was one of the first on the scene described in harrowing detail what he witnessed to German news outlet DER SPIEGEL.
“Nobody prepares you for something like that,” the unnamed officer said. “We walked over the dead.”
The officer said he was at the market on a routine patrol when he saw the car speeding by.
After barrelling through the crowd in the vehicle, the suspect surrendered, according to the officer.
“He then more or less surrendered himself,” the police officer said.
