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A 50-year-old Saudi Arabian doctor was arrested after an SUV ploughed into a crowd at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, killing at least two people and injuring 68 others.
Authorities confirmed that the suspect, who has been living in Germany since 2006.
The incident occurred at around 7 p.m. (local time) when the black BMW drove at high speed for more than 400 meters across the busy Christmas market in the city centre.
Police cordoned off the area, which was left littered with debris, broken glass, and bloodstains. Emergency responders were quickly on the scene, tending to the victims and transporting them to hospitals.
The attack, which left a trail of carnage, has been described as a “catastrophe” by local authorities. Among the victims, one was a young child.
Videos of the arrest show police officers apprehending the suspect, identified as Taleb A., a psychiatrist, who had reportedly shared extremist views online.
A source close to the Saudi government confirmed the attacker had been flagged by Saudi authorities prior to the incident.
Authorities have ruled out further threats, with the suspect believed to have acted alone. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed his condolences, calling the attack “devastating” and pledging support to the victims’ families.
“My thoughts are with the victims and their families,” Scholz wrote on X. “We stand by the people of Magdeburg during this tragic time.”
This incident has raised fresh concerns about security at Christmas markets, with the German government urging vigilance, though no specific threats had been reported.
The attack evoked memories of the 2016 truck attack on the Berlin Christmas market, which claimed 12 lives and was later claimed by ISIS.
In addition to national leaders, international leaders expressed their shock at the attack. French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the violence, while Saudi Arabia condemned the attack and reiterated its rejection of violence.
The German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said authorities were taking necessary steps to ensure public safety during the Christmas period. Magdeburg’s Christmas market will remain closed until further notice, as investigations into the motives behind the attack continue.
