A driver collided with a crowd attending a Christmas market in central Germany on Friday evening, resulting in at least two fatalities and 60 injuries, according to local authorities.

The incident took place at the Christmas market in Magdeburg, the capital of Saxony-Anhalt, where locals had congregated for festive celebrations. Among the deceased is a young child, as reported by Reiner Haseloff, the state’s premier.

“This is an awful tragedy. It is a disaster for Magdeburg, the state, and Germany as a whole,” Haseloff stated.

This incident follows a warning from German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser just a month earlier, urging people to remain alert at Christmas markets, which security agencies highlight as potential targets for extremist assaults.

Identity of the driver

Authorities have apprehended the suspected driver. Haseloff described him as a 50-year-old doctor from Saudi Arabia, who has been living in Germany for nearly two decades and has permanent residency.

“Currently, we believe this to be the act of a lone individual, meaning there is no ongoing threat to the city as we have the suspect in custody,” Haseloff remarked.

Information regarding a possible motive has yet to be disclosed by authorities.

A video shared on social media depicts a vehicle speeding through a crowd wedged between market stalls, with people being knocked over and fleeing in panic.

Understanding Magdeburg, Germany

Magdeburg is a central German city with a population of approximately 200,000. It serves as the capital of Saxony-Anhalt and is about 100 miles west of Berlin.

Has a similar event occurred previously?

The tragedy in Magdeburg is not the first instance of a driver attacking a Christmas market in Germany.

In 2016, Anis Amri, a Tunisian seeking asylum, drove a truck through a busy market in Berlin, resulting in the deaths of 12 individuals and injuring almost 60 others. Among the deceased was a truck driver whose vehicle Amri hijacked, reported German broadcaster DW.

A similar incident occurred when Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel, a Tunisian residing in France, drove a truck into a crowd celebrating Bastille Day in Nice in 2016, killing at least 84 people and injuring hundreds over a span of 15 minutes, according to Reuters.

The specifics of the vehicle used in Magdeburg remain unclear.

Response from German Chancellor

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz took to X to express his thoughts, stating, “My thoughts are with the victims and their families.”

Interior Minister Faeser, who had previously warned about vigilance at Christmas markets, described the incident as “shocking” on X. She confirmed that security agencies are conducting an investigation and announced plans to visit Magdeburg with Scholz on Saturday.

The government of Saudi Arabia has condemned the attack, according to an official statement, although it did not refer to the suspect.