German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited the Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, on Saturday to assess the situation following the increase in the death toll to five.
As reported by the German public-service broadcaster ARD, more than 200 individuals sustained injuries when an SUV crashed into the crowded market on Friday night.
Authorities have apprehended a 50-year-old Saudi physician, who is believed to have been driving the vehicle. However, it remains uncertain whether the incident was motivated by radical religious or political ideologies, or if it is connected to mental health issues.
“It is very reassuring to know that Germany is not alone,” the Chancellor remarked, expressing gratitude to global leaders for their solidarity during this challenging time.
He also emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into the event, stating, “We must not permit those who seek to spread hatred to succeed.”
Accompanied by various national and regional officials, all dressed in black, Scholz laid flowers outside the main church in Magdeburg. Police reported that the vehicle traveled “at least 400 meters through the Christmas market,” leaving a trail of destruction, debris, and shattered glass in the central town hall square.
In a related development, Magdeburg’s city councillor for public order, Ronni Krug, declared the closure of the Christmas market, stating, “Christmas in Magdeburg is over.”
On Saturday morning, the interior ministry announced that official buildings in Saxony-Anhalt, the state where Magdeburg is located, would lower flags to half-mast in memory of the attack’s victims.
Regarding the perpetrator, the Saudi individual, identified by German media as Taleb A., was a psychiatric doctor who had resided in Germany since 2006 and possessed a permanent residence permit.
Reports indicated that his social media activity included critical views of Islam, expressions of support for far-right ideologies, and warnings about the perceived “dangers” of Islamization in Germany.
