Four people are dead and over 200 more injured after a car ploughed through a crowd at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, last night – here is everything we know so far
Footage shows the harrowing moment a terror suspect was pinned to the ground by police having ploughed through a Christmas market as we recap everything we know so far.
Four people, including a toddler, have been confirmed dead following the tragic scenes in Magdeburg, Germany, on Friday (December 20) night with dozens more injured. Here is everything we know.
It has today (Saturday, December 21) been confirmed that the death toll has increased to four people after a BMW drove into people at a busy Christmas market in Germany last night. Others remain seriously injured and that number could yet rise, authorities have warned.
The horror incident unfolded at the market in Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt, with at least 70 people estimated to be injured following the attack at around 7pm. An investigation has been launched and it is suspected the attack was deliberate.
Regional government spokesperson Matthias Schuppe and city spokesperson Michael Reif said it is not yet known if it was terror-related with the suspect’s motives remaining unclear. The driver was arrested at the scene shortly after the car barrelled into the market with footage showing him pinned to the ground by officers.
Two of the earliest victims were confirmed as an adult and a toddler. Two further victims have since been confirmed but their ages are unidentified and authorities say this death toll could continue to climb.
The market was teeming with shoppers when the horror attack unfolded and brought shock to the city. It has prompted other German towns to cancel their weekend markets in solidarity.
German police have confirmed a Saudi Arabian national, aged 50, has been arrested. They are also investigating a suspected explosive device found inside the black BMW used in the attack, which has been pictured with its doors open at the scene.
Saxony-Anhalt regional governor Reiner Haseloff said: “This is a terrible event, particularly now in the days before Christmas.” German chancellor Olaf Scholz said: “My thoughts are with the victims and their families. We stand by their side and by the side of the people of Magdeburg. My thanks go to the dedicated rescue workers in these anxious hours.”
Bild, a German newspaper, reports that 41 are seriously injured, 86 people are being treated in hospitals with serious injuries and 78 people suffered minor injuries. Nadine described being at the Christmas market with her boyfriend, Marco when the car came speeding towards them.
“He was hit and pulled away from my side,” the 32-year-old told the paper. “It was terrible.”
Sickening CCTV footage shared on social media showed a car speeding into pedestrians at the market. Eyewitnesses also likened the attack and its aftermath to a warzone, with children heard crying for their parents in harrowing footage shared online.
Everything we know about Magdeburg suspect
The suspect is a 50-year-old doctor from Saudi Arabia who came to Germany back in 2006 and local media have identified him as Taleb. A.
Saxony-Anhalt interior minister Tamara Zieschang said on Friday: “The perpetrator has been arrested.
“He is a 50-year-old man from Saudi Arabia, who first entered the Federal Republic of Germany in 2006. He had a permanent residence permit and thus a permanent residence permit.”
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