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A festive evening in the eastern German city of Magdeburg turned into a horrific tragedy on Friday when a car drove through a crowded Christmas market, killing five people, including a nine-year-old child, and injuring more than 200 others.
The attack, which unfolded in just three minutes, saw a black BMW SUV plow through 400 meters of the bustling market. Among the injured, 41 people remain in critical condition, authorities reported.
Suspect Identified
The suspect, identified as 50-year-old Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, is a Saudi national who has lived in Germany since 2006. Al-Abdulmohsen, a psychiatrist from Bernburg, approximately 40 kilometers south of Magdeburg, had been recognized as a refugee in 2016. He is currently being held and is expected to face charges of murder and attempted murder.
Prosecutor Horst Walter Nopens suggested that the attack might stem from "disgruntlement with how Saudi refugees are treated in Germany." However, authorities have ruled out links to Islamist extremism.
Local reports indicate that the suspect had been critical of Islam and ran a website aimed at supporting former Muslims fleeing persecution in the Gulf region.
Warnings Ignored?
A source close to the Saudi government alleged that four warnings, or "Notes Verbal," were sent to German authorities regarding al-Abdulmohsen’s "extreme views." These claims, however, have been contested, with some experts suggesting they could be part of a disinformation campaign aimed at discrediting the suspect, who reportedly helped young Saudi women seek asylum in Germany.
Emergency Response
The tragedy unfolded at around 7 p.m. local time, with the car entering the market through an emergency vehicle access point. Over 100 police officers, medics, and firefighters, along with 50 rescue service personnel, responded swiftly to the scene.
Community in Mourning
On Saturday evening, a memorial service was held at Magdeburg Cathedral, attended by families of the victims, emergency workers, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Scholz called the attack a “dreadful tragedy,” emphasizing that “all resources” will be allocated to the investigation.
At the site of the attack, floral tributes, candles, and plush toys have been left in memory of those who lost their lives.
Eyewitness Accounts
Witnesses described the panic and chaos as the car tore through the market. Nadine, a 32-year-old visitor, told Bild newspaper how her boyfriend Marco was struck by the vehicle. “He was hit and pulled away from my side. It was terrible,” she recounted.
Lars Frohmüller, a reporter on the scene, described “blood on the floor” and the sight of medics working tirelessly to help the injured.
A Troubling Pattern
This isn’t the first time a Christmas market in Germany has been targeted. In 2016, 12 people were killed and 49 injured in Berlin when a truck rammed into a church market. Similar incidents in Strasbourg, France, and Solingen, Germany, have underscored the vulnerability of such events.
German officials have previously stressed the need for heightened security at public gatherings. Friday’s attack has reignited discussions about safety measures at Christmas markets, a beloved tradition in Germany.
As Magdeburg begins to recover from this senseless act of violence, the city—and the country—mourns the loss of life and hopes for the swift recovery of the injured.
Source: BBC
