Madgeburg holds funeral for its victims

Reuters

A sea of flowers, candles and soft toys brought by tearful mourners stretched out in front of a church at the central German city of Magdeburg

A man suspected of plowing a car through crowds at the Christmas market faces multiple charges of murder and attempted murder, police said on Sunday. The suspect, who was in custody, is a 50-year-old psychiatrist from Saudi Arabia with a history of anti-Islamic rhetoric who has lived in Germany for almost two decades. The motive for Friday's evening attack remained unclear.

Many people, including a large group of public service workers in orange uniforms, laid flowers and lit candles in the cold before observing a moment of silence at the memorial site. Some were seen crying as they hugged their companions.

Those killed were a nine-year-old boy and four women aged 52, 45, 75 and 67, the police statement said. Among the wounded, around 40 had serious or critical injuries.

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