Two killed, several injured as car plows into German Christmas market – latest updates | Germany

According to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the culprit is a doctor from Saudi Arabia, Reuters reports.

Scholz said the perpetrator acted alone and at least 60 people were injured.

Scholz said the death toll had risen to two, Reuters reports.

German broadcaster MDR is reporting that another Christmas market in the central German city of Erfurt is being evacuated.

He explained that the move was a precautionary measure and that there was “no concrete evidence of any threat”.

Magdeburg’s university hospital said it was treating 10-20 patients and was preparing for more, press agency dpa reported.

City spokesman Michael Reiff said he doubted it was a deliberate act, adding that “several people have been injured” and “the images are horrific”.

“My information is that a car drove into the Christmas market visitors, but I can’t yet say from which direction and from how far,” Reif said.

‘At least 70 people were injured, 15 of whom suffered serious injuries’

Police suspect that the vehicle that drove into the crowd at the Christmas market contained an explosive device, broadcaster MDR reported.

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said the attack had shaken her.

In a statement on X, Baerbock wrote: “The pictures from Magdeburg move me deeply. For families and friends who wanted to spend time together at a Christmas market, nothing will be the same again. My deepest sympathies are with the victims and their loved ones. I want to thank the emergency workers and paramedics.

It was not clear whether the suspected attacker was acting alone, according to local broadcaster MDR.

Officials said one person has been arrested.

The MDR also reported that the car used by the attacker was still in the market. It reportedly “went at least 400 metres” into the crowd.

Germany’s deputy chancellor reacts to ‘horrific’ attack

All hospitals are preparing for a mass casualty incident, a security official said, and the initial assessment is that it was an attack.

Chancellor Scholz says his thoughts are with the victims and families

On 19 December 2016, a truck driven by Anis Amri, a failed Tunisian asylum seeker with Islamist ties, crashed into a crowded Christmas market in Berlin, killing 12 people and injuring dozens of others. A few days later, the attacker was killed in a shootout in Milan.

Dozens of people are reported injured

The Weihnachtsmarkt Magdeburg, the Christmas market where the attack took place, posted on Instagram warning people to leave the market and let emergency services do their work.

The MDR said several police officers and emergency services were on site and the market manager had asked people to leave the city centre.

Eyewitnesses told the broadcaster that the car drove straight into the crowd at the market in the direction of the town hall.

At least one person killed and several injured in attack on German Christmas market