Germany: Saudi National Arrested After Driving Car Into Christmas Market
A suspected terrorist attack at a German Christmas market killed at least two people, including a toddler, and injured 80.
Police arrested the Saudi national who drove a BMW through a crowd at the Christmas market in Magdeburg, the capital of Saxony-Anhalt, located in east Germany. I saw a few places say that he had an explosive device in the car. I do not know if that has been confirmed.
Authorities believe he acted alone.
(I used Google Translate for all German-based outlets.)
“An attack took place in Magdeburg this evening: Shortly after 7 p.m., a black SUV crashed into the Christmas market in the state capital of Saxony-Anhalt,” reported NiUS.de. “According to several people and media reports, it was a black BMW that deliberately drove into the Christmas stalls and stands in order to injure people.”
The authorities currently believe that the attack was carried out by a lone perpetrator. According to WELT information, the perpetrator had rented a car before committing the crime, which he then drove to the Christmas market. A piece of luggage was found on the passenger seat. It is unclear whether there may be an explosive device in it; the authorities have not yet ruled out this scenario. The police are also investigating whether the driver acted alone.The car in which the perpetrator drove “at least 400 meters across the Christmas market” into the crowd is still on site, a police spokesman said. It is said to be a BMW. The AFP news agency, citing the emergency services control center, reports that there are “60 to 80 injured.” According to Prime Minister Reiner Haseloff, at least two people have died, an adult and a small child. “Bild” and the Magdeburg “Volksstimme” newspaper had previously reported at least eleven deaths.
Eyewitnesses told Volksstimme that the man “broke through barriers and ran over several people at the Christmas market.”
“According to eyewitnesses, he drove in a zigzag course across the entire market area – apparently to catch as many visitors as possible,” added Volksstimme. “When he tried to turn around, he was stopped and arrested by police officers.”
Bild reported that eyewitnesses told Mitteldeutsche Zeitung that the man “drove into the fairy tale area of the Magdeburg Christmas market,” which had many families there.
Regional Prime Minister Reiner Haseloff said the dead include a small child, according to The Telegraph.
The outlet also reported that Michael Reif, a spokesperson for Magdeburg, announced authorities are treating it as a terrorist attack.
Numerous outlets have reported that the Saudi national is a 50-year-old man who arrived in Germany in 2006. He has been working as a doctor at the Magdeburg Clinic.
Authorities in Erfurt, about two hours south of Magdeburg, evacuated its Christmas market as a precaution.
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