Germany Christmas market attack: Saudi doctor arrested after two killed and 68 injured – Latest | Germany

kate connolly

Security experts said they were surprised that the man was able to drive into the market despite the heavy bollards that were installed to prevent such an attack.

Hans-Jakob Schindler, a terrorism expert, told German media: “It is surprising at first that a vehicle of that size was able to get into a German Christmas market.”

Germany is home to an estimated 2,500 to 3,000 Christmas markets, which are held across the country for about a month, from late November until just after Christmas.

Keeping markets safe has been a major issue since 2016 when an Islamic extremist attacker drove a truck into a crowd of Christmas market-goers in Berlin, killing 13 people and injuring dozens more. A few days later, the attacker was killed in a shootout in Italy.

What do we know about the suspect?

kate connolly

The arrested man has been identified as Taleb A, a 50-year-old medical doctor from Saudi Arabia.

Saxony-Anhalt leader Rainer Hasselhoff said the man had lived in Germany since 2006. The suspect, a consultant for psychiatry and psychotherapy, was identified as a refugee in 2016.

Some German media pointed to the suspect’s previous social media posts in which he reportedly expressed critical views about Islam and also warned about the “dangers” of the Islamization of Germany.

“As things stand, he is a lone offender, so there is no other threat to the city as far as we know,” Haseloff said.

According to a report citing a security source, the suspect had rented the car shortly before the attack and authorities were not aware of his Islamic background.

What happened on Friday evening?

kate connolly

If you’re just waking up to the news, here’s a recap of what happened on Friday evening from our Berlin correspondent Kate Connolly:

A car plowed into a crowd of people Friday at a Christmas market in the eastern German city of Magdeburg, injuring several people and killing at least two people, including a small child, in what local authorities are calling a terror attack. attack.

At least 68 other people were injured, including 15 in critical condition, according to the city government.

In the attack, a black BMW drove straight into the crowd at the Christmas market, traveling at a speed of 400mph in the direction of the town hall, according to witnesses cited by the broadcaster.

In the video posted on social media, a dark colored car is seen speeding into the crowd. Several media outlets featured the video in their coverage, but the authenticity of the footage has not yet been officially confirmed.

Emergency workers were seen treating bloodied victims in the market. Temporary tents were set up at the site. Eyewitnesses reported hearing crying and screaming. The operator of a food stall in the market described the scenes as “reminiscent of war”.

The driver of the car was immediately arrested, and later identified as Taleb A., a 50-year-old medical doctor from Saudi Arabia.

Hello, we’re resuming our live coverage of the attack in Germany in which a driver drove a car into a crowd at a Christmas market in the eastern city of Magdeburg on Friday evening, killing at least two people and injuring 68. Have become.

Government officials said that fifteen people were in critical condition and a small child was also among the dead.

According to German state premier Rainer Hasselhoff, police have arrested a 50-year-old Saudi Arabian doctor, whom they believe is responsible for the attack. The prime minister was visiting Magdeburg on Saturday and described the incident as “a terrible incident, especially in the days before Christmas”.

The suspect was identified as Taleb A. He had been living in Germany since 2006, Haseloff said. Consultant in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy The man was recognized as a refugee in 2016.

“As circumstances stand, he is a lone criminal,” Haseloff said. “So as far as we know, there is no further threat to the city.”

In other developments:

• Emergency workers were seen treating victims on the ground in the marketSurrounded by blood. Temporary tents were set up at the site. Eyewitnesses reported hearing crying and screaming. The operator of a food stall in the market described the scenes as “reminiscent of war”.

• The dark colored BMW car drove straight into the crowd at high speed. This was according to witnesses in the market, while apparent videos of the collision were posted on social media.

• Police evacuated the area around the vehicle An investigation for a possible explosive device was conducted after the incident, according to local broadcaster MDR, which later quoted police as saying that no such device was found.

• A police operation was also underway in the city of Bernburg, south of Magdeburg, where the suspect is believed to live.local newspaper Mitteldeutsche Zeitung reported.

• Hospitals within an 80 km (50-mile) radius of Magdeburg were prepared to receive patients.While all emergency helicopters in the area were deployed to the area. Magdeburg’s university hospital said it was treating 10 to 20 patients and was preparing for more, German press agency dpa reported. Emergency services said the number of injured could be up to 80.

• Saudi Arabia condemned the attackIts Foreign Ministry said the state expressed “solidarity with the German people and the families of the victims”.

• German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said his thoughts were with the victims and their families.He was to travel to Magdeburg on Saturday with Interior Minister Nancy Feser.

• German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier wrote this “Anticipation for a peaceful Christmas was suddenly interrupted” in attack but warned “The background of the horrific act is not yet clear”,

• British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he is “horrified” from the attack and “We stand with the people of Germany”.

• French President Emmanuel Macron said he was “deeply shocked”The attack shows that he “shares the pain of the German people”.