German Christmas market attack - latest: Death toll rises to five with 200 injured after ‘brutal’ car attack
200 people injured in attack, 40 critical
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Your support makes all the difference.Five people have now died after a car ploughed into a busy Christmas market in eastern Germany on Friday, authorities confirmed.
Speaking at the scene in Magdeburg on Saturday, Saxony-Anhalt’s governor confirmed the death toll had risen and that 200 people had been injured.
He spoke alongside German chancellor Olaf Scholz, who condemned the attack and vowed to use the full strength of the law.
“What a terrible act it is to injure and kill so many people there with such brutality,” Scholz told reporters. “Almost 40 are so seriously injured that we must be very worried about them.
According to German media, 41 people have been critically injured, 90 seriously injured and a further 80 are suffering 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”.
Bild reporting no explosives found in car
No explosive device was found in the car after media speculation.
Tracy Hering of Magdeburg police said a large cordon was set up because of a suspicious piece of luggage on the passenger seat.
‘Clarification needed’ Left leader says after crash
Left Party leader Ines Schwerdtner expressed her shock at the images following the attack in Magdeburg.
“My deepest sympathy goes out to the victims and their families,” Schwerdtner wrote on X.
“Thank you to the many helpers who gave their all on this difficult night. Our thoughts are with those affected. What is needed now is clarification instead of debates at the expense of the victims.”
Italian leader deeply shocked by ‘brutality'
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she was “deeply shocked” by the “brutal” attack in a post on X.
“I am deeply shocked by the brutal attack on the defenceless crowd at the Christmas market in Magdeburg. I stand with the entire government, the families of the victims, the injured and all the German people.
“Violence must have no place in our democracies.”
Distressed rescue workers hug at the scene of Christmas market horror
‘NATO stands with Germany'
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has reached out to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to offer his condolences.
He posted on X: “Horrific scenes from a Christmas market in #Magdeburg. I have reached out to @Bundeskanzler to offer my condolences.
“My thoughts are with the victims and their families. #NATO stands with #Germany.”
‘Security failed’ Terror expert warns
Terrorism expert Hans-Jakob Schindler told broadcaster ZDF: “First of all, it is surprising that a vehicle of any size can still drive into a German Christmas market in a big city.
“The fact that an attack with a car was successful indicates a flaw in the security concept.”
Thursday was the eighth anniversary of the terrible Christmas market attack on Berlin’s Breitscheidplatz which killed 12.
Chancellor Scholz to visit site on Saturday
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will visit Magdeburg on Saturday.
“The Chancellor will come here tomorrow and assess the situation with us and will certainly not only mourn with us but also discuss the necessary measures,” said Reiner Haseloff, the regional prime minister.
“And I can imagine that due to the seriousness of this attack, the Federal Prosecutor General will also take action,” he added.
British Foreign Office ‘closely monitoring the situation'
The Foreign Office said it is “closely monitoring the situation” in Germany.
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.”
Residents still unable to return to homes as object in car investigated
A piece of luggage which was found on the passenger seat of the car is still being investigated by police.
According to German outlet BILD, residents are not yet allowed to return to their homes on Breiten Weg. More residents may need to be evacuated.
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.