At least two people died this Friday after they were run over by a car. Christmas market in Magdeburg, in the east Germanyin an attack carried out apparently without accomplices by a Saudi doctor who had been in the Central European country since 2006 and who was detained, according to regional authorities.

Among the dead are man and minorThis was announced to the media at the scene of the tragedy by the Prime Minister of Saxony-Anhalt Rainer Haseloff, adding that there were also more than 60 wounded.

According to the city of Magdeburg, there are currently 15 serious injuries, 37 moderate injuries and 16 minor injuries, for a total of 68 injuries.

There are approximately 100 firefighters on site, along with seven professional and volunteer fire department units and 50 first responders. The wounded are being treated in tents and take them to different hospitals in the area.

The culprit of the accident is 50 years old. permanent residence permit in Germany. He is being questioned by the police.

Assault without accomplices

Tamara Zieschang, Minister of the Interior of Saxony Anhalt, assured that The Saudis acted alone and lived in Bernburg, about 50 kilometers from Magdeburg.

According to the newspaper’BUILD‘heavily armed forces They forcibly entered the house on a city street, but it is currently unknown whether the operation was related to the attack.

Shortly after 6 p.m., a man burst into the crowd and traveled a distance of at least 400 meters at the Christmas market in a rented car with Munich license plates.

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Terrorism expert Hans-Jakob Schindler told the second public television channel ZDF that the fact that the vehicular attack was successful indicates failure in security concept.

In addition, he argued that the author’s profile is unusual both in age and nationality because The attackers were currently in their twenties. and there have been no terrorist attacks from Saudi Arabia since 2001.

The terrorist attack killed dozens of people in Germany.
This is a Europe of multiculturalism, welcoming refugees, which has normalized our holidays and traditions in fear.
I share my pain and my anger.pic.twitter.com/MThF99RrWM

— Guillermo🇪🇸 (@Guillermo_gva) December 20, 2024

Questions about insecurity

It is unknown how the man was able to get to the Christmas market, located right in the center and next to the town hall. as German cities tighten security bollards were installed from these locations following the terrorist attack in Berlin on December 19, 2016, in which 13 people were killed after being hit by a truck.

That this attack happened eight years after the attack on the Berlin Christmas market This appears to have been done intentionally, Haseloff said at a later news conference.

Mayor of Magdeburg Simone Borries couldn’t hold back my tears and thanked security forces and first responders for their work.

He announced a memorial service for the victims this Saturday afternoon in the city’s cathedral and expressed hope that citizens will be able to live together in a good way again after what has happened. “long mourning phase”

The Chancellor will travel to Magdeburg

Haseloff said that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called him on the phone and announced that he would go to Magdeburg this Saturday to assess the situation and discuss necessary measuresAnd he added that the state Attorney General’s Office may also take appropriate action “given the seriousness of this attack.”

Scholz said on his social media account X that his thoughts are with the victims and their families.

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German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said in a statement that “hopes for a peaceful Christmas party have been dashed by news from Magdeburg” and Interior Minister Nancy Faser, who will travel to the city with Scholz on Saturday, She expressed “shock” at the attack..

“The security forces will clarify the background,” the Social Democrat promised. (EFE)