Magdeburg car attack kills 2, injures 60+ at Christmas market; suspect, a Saudi doctor, arrested. Authorities investigate extremist links as Scholz visits the scene.
A driver ploughed into a crowd at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, central Germany, on Friday evening, killing at least two people, including a young child, and injuring over 60.
The attacker, identified as a 50-year-old Saudi doctor with permanent residency in Germany, was arrested at the scene. Authorities believe he acted alone, assuring the public there is no further danger.
Reiner Haseloff, premier of Saxony-Anhalt, described the incident as a catastrophe for the city, the state, and Germany, warning the death toll could rise due to the severity of injuries.
Although the attacker was not flagged as an Islamist, Saudi Arabia had reportedly warned German authorities about his extremist posts on social media. The suspect, named as Taleb Abdul Jawad, was a psychiatrist who reportedly sympathised with Germany’s far-right AfD party, according to Der Spiegel.
Following the incident, police cleared the area to investigate reports of a possible explosive device, later confirming no such device was found. Authorities also conducted an operation in Bernburg, the suspect’s hometown.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed solidarity with victims and is set to visit the site with Interior Minister Nancy Faeser.
Meanwhile, a video circulating online showed the car speeding through the crowded market, knocking people down as they fled.
This attack echoes the 2016 Berlin Christmas market tragedy, where a truck driven by an Islamist extremist killed 12 and injured dozens. Security services had warned of similar risks this season, urging vigilance.
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