A vehicle crashed into a crowd celebrating at a Christmas market in central Germany on Friday night, resulting in at least five fatalities and more than 200 injuries, with nearly 40 people in critical condition, according to authorities.

The incident occurred in Magdeburg, the capital of Saxony-Anhalt, where locals gathered to enjoy the festive season. One of the deceased was a young child, as reported by Reiner Haseloff, the premier of Saxony-Anhalt.

“This is a horrific tragedy. It’s a disaster for the city of Magdeburg, the state, and Germany as a whole,” expressed Haseloff, mentioning the possibility of the death toll rising due to the grave nature of the injuries.

This incident follows a recent warning from German interior minister Nancy Faeser encouraging vigilance at Christmas markets, which security agencies have identified as potential targets for extremist actions.

The Aftermath of the Attack

Andrea Reis, who had visited the market on Friday, returned the following day with her daughter Julia to light a candle near the church that overlooks the site.

With tears streaming down her cheeks, she recounted the horror. “Children were screaming, calling for their mothers. It’s something you can never forget,” she recalled.

She mentioned that if it hadn’t been for a mere few moments, they might have found themselves in the vehicle’s path.

“I suggested we grab a sausage, but my daughter wanted to keep walking. If we had stayed put, we would have been caught in the car’s way,” she stated.

Identifying the Driver

The suspect has been detained by the police. Haseloff characterized him as a 50-year-old physician from Saudi Arabia who had permanent residency in Germany and had lived there for nearly two decades. Authorities conducted a search of his residence overnight.

“Currently, we believe this to be the act of a lone individual, so there is no ongoing threat to the city, especially after his arrest,” Haseloff confirmed.

The reasons behind the attack are still unknown, and the police have not publicly named the suspect. Verified posts on his X account showed a leaning toward anti-Islam sentiments and far-right political parties, including the Alternative for Germany (AfD), alongside critiques of Germany’s treatment of Saudi refugees.

Faeser pointed out the suspect’s evident Islamophobia but refrained from speculating on his motive.

A social media video captured the moment a car raced through a crowd, with many individuals seen falling to the ground and fleeing in panic.

About Magdeburg, Germany

Magdeburg is a city with a population of approximately 200,000, situated in central Germany. It serves as the capital for the state of Saxony-Anhalt and is located about 100 miles west of Berlin.

Historical Context

This tragedy echoes a similar attack in Berlin in 2016, where Anis Amri, a failed Tunisian asylum seeker connected to Islamist groups, drove a truck into a crowded market, resulting in 12 deaths and nearly 60 injuries. Among the deceased was the driver whose vehicle was stolen by Amri, as reported by German media.

A comparable incident occurred in Nice, where a Tunisian man residing in France plowed through a celebratory crowd during Bastille Day in 2016, killing at least 84 and injuring hundreds in a rampage lasting 15 minutes, according to Reuters.

Details regarding the type of vehicle involved in the Magdeburg incident are still under investigation.

Reactions from German Leadership

Chancellor Olaf Scholz paid tribute to the victims by laying a white rose at a church on Saturday.

“This attack is horrific, injuring and killing so many innocent people in such a brutal way,” he remarked.

“As we now understand, over 200 individuals sustained injuries. Almost 40 of them are in critical condition, which is deeply concerning,” he added.

This story will be updated with further information as it becomes available.