Five dead, scores injured as car ploughs into crowd at Christmas market in Germany

Among the victims were an adult and a toddler, with 15 others reported to be in serious condition. Officials have warned that the death toll could rise as investigations continue.

Tamara Zieschang, interior minister for Saxony-Anhalt, confirmed that the suspect acted alone and said there was no immediate threat to the city. “As things stand, he is a lone perpetrator,” Zieschang said. Reiner Haseloff, the governor of Saxony-Anhalt, described the attack as a “terrible tragedy,” offering condolences to the victims’ families. “Every human life lost in this attack is a tragedy,” he said.

Emergency services work in a cordoned-off area near a Christmas Market, after a car drove into a crowd in Magdeburg, Germany, Saturday. (AP)

Magdeburg, the capital of Saxony-Anhalt, has a population of approximately 240,000. The attack occurred eight years after a similar incident in Berlin, when a truck drove into a Christmas market, killing 13 people.

Christmas markets are a cherished tradition across Germany, attracting thousands of visitors each year to enjoy festive foods, drinks, and holiday cheer. In the wake of Friday’s violence, authorities had previously assured the public that no specific threats to such events had been identified this year, though they had urged caution.

The attack has left residents in Magdeburg shaken. Local resident Dorin Steffen said, “We are in shock, filled with sympathy for the victims’ families.” Mayor Simone Borris called the incident a “dark day” for the city. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed his condolences on social media, writing, “My thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones. We stand with them and with the people of Magdeburg.”

In honour of the victims, a memorial service will be held on Saturday at the city’s cathedral. Flags throughout Saxony-Anhalt will be flown at half-staff.

With inputs from agencies

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