Five dead and 'more than 200' injured after car crashes into crowd and runs over visitors at German Christmas market
Car hits people at Christmas market in Germany - Mark White breaks
GB News
Five people have been killed while more than 200 people are reportedly injured after a vehicle drove into crowds at a German Christmas market.
The suspect, who was driving a dark BMW, crashed through barriers protecting the market and into shoppers in Magdeburg on Friday night.
A Saudi doctor who previously posted "anti-Islam" views online has been arrested.
The incident is being treated as a "lone wolf" terror attack, according to regional government spokesman Matthias Schuppe and city spokesperson Michael Reif.
The 50-year-old suspect is originally from Saudi Arabia and has lived in Germany since 2006, according to Reiner Haseloff, the premier of the state of Saxony-Anhalt.
Emergency services were called to the horrific scene at the market in Magdeburg, where the attack took place.
Police and ambulances stand next to the Christmas market
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Emergency services are treating patients at the scene in Germany
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A map showing Magdeburg
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Police and ambulances stand next to the Christmas market, where a car crashed into a crowd injuring between "60 and 80 people"
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FC Magdeburg players stand with their fans
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Magdeburg's city councillor for public order, Ronni Krug, has declared that the Christmas market will remain closed, stating that "Christmas in Magdeburg is over," as reported by German public broadcaster MDR.
Additionally, the interior ministry announced earlier today that official buildings in Saxony-Anhalt, the German state where Magdeburg serves as the capital, will lower their flags to half-mast in memory of those who lost their lives in the attack.
Last night, police cordoned off the city centre because an explosive device was believed to be inside the suspect’s vehicle, German public broadcaster MDR said.
Tents were set up in the area to treat the injured with tram services suspended throughout the city. According to eyewitness reports, the incident began at 7.04pm local time when a BMW ploughed into the crowd.
Eyewitnesses told local media the vehicle "drove into the fairy tale area of the Magdeburg Christmas market" where there were a lot of families.
A spokesman said at the time: "Due to current events, we would like to point out that you should avoid the Christmas market. Please let the emergency services do their job and leave the market in an orderly manner!"
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Car drives into crowd at Christmas market in Germany
Saxony-Anhalt's State Premier Reiner Haseloff addresses media
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The message translates to 'At the Christmas market in Magdeburg a car drove into a group of people. The Dusseldorf ultras have therefore stopped the support'
GettyMagdeburg's football team were playing a match against Fortuna Düsseldorf away while the incident unfolded.
A message was displayed on video wall in the stadium in Düsseldorf about the news during the match for the German second division.
Players from FC Magdeburg stood together with their fans after the match ended in their favour 2-5.
A police spokesman told German media the car drove "at least 400 metres across the Christmas market" into the crowd.
WATCH: The moment a suspect is arrested after the incident
Police vans and ambulances stand next to the annual Christmas market in the city centre
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Chancellor Olaf Scholz confirmed that he would be travelling to the city today.
He wrote on social media: "The reports from Magdeburg suggest something terrible is to come. My thoughts are with the victims and their families.
"We stand by their side and by the side of the people of Magdeburg. My thanks go to the dedicated rescue workers in these anxious hours."
The Christmas market in Erfurt was also evacuated as a precautionary measure following the incidents in Magdeburg.
Interior Minister Georg Maier explained that this measure was taken at the request of the organiser. However, there were no indications of a specific danger.
Leader of the hard-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party Alice Weidel described the images from Magdeburg as Alice Weidel, "devastating" and said her thoughts were with "those left behind and injured" adding "When will this madness end?"
AfD co-leader Alice Weidel released a statement following the incident
GettySir Keir Starmer took to social media to voice his support for those affected, saying: "I am horrified by the atrocious attack in Magdeburg tonight. My thoughts are with the victims, their families and all those affected. We stand with the people of Germany."
French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X: "Deeply shocked by the horror that struck the Magdeburg Christmas market in Germany this evening. My thoughts are with the victims, the injured, and their loved ones and families. France shares the pain of the German people and expresses its full solidarity."
US Vice-President elect JD Vance said: "Our prayers go to the people affected by this terrible attack on a Christmas market in Germany. What a ghastly attack so close to Christmas."
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said: "We have allowed people who hate us and our values into Europe. Christmas is their target. Any guesses why?"
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