A car plowed into a crowd at a Christmas market in the German city of Magdeburg on Friday night in an apparently deliberate attack.
Update 2115: The Magdeburg tragedy has prompted a flurry of reactions from political leaders. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said: “Reports from Magdeburg suggest bad things. My thoughts are with the victims and their families. We stand with them and with the people of Magdeburg during this worrying time. Thank you to the rescue workers for their dedication.”
Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Chancellor Candidate Friedrich Merz said: “This is very depressing news from Magdeburg. My thoughts are with the victims and their families. I would like to thank all the emergency workers at the scene treating the injured.”
Alice Weidel, leader of the anti-mass immigration party Alternative for Germany shouted: “The pictures from Magdeburg are shocking! My thoughts are with the families and the injured. When will this madness end?”
Updated in 1950: At least one person reportedly died According to This was reported to local news outlet MDR, citing Magdeburg police. rescue service said The attack reportedly left 60 to 80 people injured.
The original story continues as follows…
Witnesses claimed the driver plowed directly into a crowd of people gathered at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, central Germany.
Matthias Schuppe, a spokesperson for the state government of Saxony-Anhalt, said the incident was a deliberate attack, broadcaster NTV said. report.
The driver was immediately arrested, but his identity and motive remain unknown at the time of this report.
german newspaper build report More than 20 people were reportedly injured in the attack. It is currently unknown if there have been any deaths.
The newspaper also reported that police had sealed off the Christmas market while searching for explosives.
“This is a terrible event, especially now, just before Christmas,” said Rainer Haseroff, Prime Minister of Saxony-Anhalt.
A female witness, who said she and her child narrowly escaped being hit by a car, lamented that the gunman “drove into a fairytale area of the Magdeburg Christmas market of all places.”
A burger stand owner who claimed a car sped past his shop said the aftermath was a “war-like situation”.
This story is developing and will continue…
