Germany President Amherd is "shocked" by the attack in Magdeburg
The President of the Swiss Confederation, Viola Amherd, has expressed her shock at the attack in Magdeburg. "My thoughts are with the victims and their families," Amherd wrote on the short message service X. Switzerland stands by Germany in these difficult times.
21.12.2024, 00:17
SDA
At least two people, an adult and a small child, were killed in an attack at the Magdeburg Christmas market.
Saxony-Anhalt's Minister President Reiner Haseloff also spoke of a very large number of people injured, at least 60. As some were seriously injured, further deaths could not be ruled out. "This is a catastrophe for the city of Magdeburg, for the state and for Germany in general," said Haseloff. The police spoke of 15 seriously injured.
As things stand at present, a single perpetrator
The arrested suspect is a doctor who lives and works in Bernburg. According to the information available so far, he is a lone offender and was not known to the authorities as an Islamist, said the Minister President. "As things stand at the moment, it is a lone offender, so there is no further danger to the town at the moment because we were able to arrest him and all investigations are now underway."
State Interior Minister Tamara Zieschang said that the man was from Saudi Arabia, had first come to Germany in 2006 and had a permanent residence permit. According to Haseloff, the perpetrator raced into the crowd at the Christmas market in a rented car.
Sirens everywhere, flashing blue lights, fire department: a dpa reporter reported that the Christmas market was teeming with ambulances and paramedics. Injured people were being treated at a large Christmas pyramid. Several injured people were carried away.
Intensive care beds are ready
A spokesperson for the university hospital told the German Press Agency that the first 10 to 20 patients were currently being treated. However, the hospital is preparing for significantly more injured people. "We are currently setting up", said the spokesperson. "Intensive care beds are ready."
Prime Minister Haseloff also thanked all the helpers and emergency services: "And my deepest regrets and sympathy to all the relatives and all those affected, who were torn from their lives by the shock, even if they were not personally affected." Everyone must now come to terms with what has happened.
The CDU politician went on to say that care for the injured was being provided with maximum capacity and resources. "I have to say, it's all going really smoothly. And yet there is still a situation here that cannot be conclusively assessed."
According to Haseloff, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz will travel to Magdeburg on Saturday. "The Chancellor will visit tomorrow and assess the situation here with us and will certainly not only mourn with us, but also discuss the measures that are necessary," said Haseloff in Magdeburg in the evening. "And I can imagine that, due to the seriousness of this attack, the Federal Public Prosecutor General will also take action."
Federal Chancellor thanks rescue workers
Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser had recently repeatedly called for vigilance when visiting Christmas markets. The SPD politician said at the end of November that there were currently no concrete indications of danger. "The news from Magdeburg is deeply shocking", Faeser wrote after the attack on X. And: "The security authorities will clarify the background."
Federal Chancellor Scholz also wrote on the platform: "My thoughts are with the victims and their families. We are at their side and at the side of the people of Magdeburg. My thanks go to the dedicated rescue workers in these anxious hours." The Greens' candidate for chancellor, Robert Habeck, said: "What terrible news from Magdeburg, where people wanted to spend the Advent season in peace and community."
FDP leader Christian Lindner is also dismayed by the suspected attack. "In Magdeburg, many people were victims of a deadly attack," Lindner wrote on X. "The images have shocked me. My thoughts are with the victims, their families and the emergency services on the ground."
Around eight years after the Berlin Christmas market attack
Almost eight years ago to the day, on December 19, 2016, an Islamist terrorist drove a hijacked truck into the Christmas market on Breitscheidplatz in Berlin. Twelve people were killed, the 13th victim died as a result in 2021. More than 70 people were injured. The attacker fled to Italy, where he was shot dead by the police.
Police in other cities with Christmas markets are now also being particularly vigilant. In Stuttgart, a police spokesman said that police forces had been sensitized on the ground. In Berlin, a spokesperson said that officers had been called upon to pay increased attention to Christmas markets.
