A tragic incident occurred on Friday when a black BMW SUV drove into a crowd at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany. The vehicle traveled about 400 meters through the market, resulting in at least two fatalities, including a small child, and injuring between 60 to 80 people with some in critical condition.
The driver, a 50-year-old Saudi Arabian doctor residing in Germany since 2006, was arrested at the scene. Authorities are investigating the incident as a deliberate attack. An explosive device was reportedly found in the vehicle.
The vehicle traveled “at least 400 metres across the Christmas market,” resulting in a trail of bloodied casualties at the central town hall square of the city. The attack brings to mind a similar incident from eight years ago in Berlin, where a truck driven by an individual with Islamist links crashed into a crowded Christmas market, resulting in multiple casualties.
Disturbing video footage captured the dark car plowing through a dense crowd, resulting in numerous individuals on the ground. In moments, panicked attendees scattered seeking safety from the chaos. Additional clips reveal children in tears and groups of bystanders gathering around the injured.
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Emergency services responded swiftly, setting up tents to treat the injured, and local hospitals prepared for a mass casualty event. Magdeburg is the capital of Saxony-Anhalt and is located about 100 miles west of Berlin. The Christmas market was closed following the incident, and another market in Erfurt was evacuated as a precaution. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and other officials have expressed their condolences and support for the victims and their families.
Multiple police officers surrounded a man with their weapons drawn, issuing loud commands, as they dealt with the aftermath of a harrowing incident. Authorities were also observed dispersing bystanders gathering around the scene. The incident, suspected to be intentional, involved a black BMW SUV that plowed through market barriers and struck pedestrians around 7 p.m. Police confirmed they are not searching for additional suspects.
You don’t hate the legacy media enough. The Associated Press uses a passive voice when reporting on the Christmas market terror attack in Magdeburg, Germany. As if the car simply drove itself peacefully, and the affected number of people small and insignificant.
It wasn’t a… pic.twitter.com/QDxaMW5d6e
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) December 20, 2024
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz responded to the incident, stating: “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.”
The incident could significantly influence the political conversation ahead of Germany’s unexpected elections in February. Recent polls from Forschergruppe Wahlen show the economic crisis had surpassed migration as the leading issue for voters, with over a third focusing on it. However, this attack might shift the public’s attention back to migration concerns.
On Friday afternoon, the Chicago Police Department announced they are now closely monitoring the city’s Christkindlmarket, ensuring heightened security and vigilance at the popular holiday event.