Everything we know about Germany Christmas market attack and arrested Saudi doctor so far

21 December 2024, 07:59 | Updated: 21 December 2024, 11:24

Five people, including a small child, have died after a car ploughed into a Christmas market in Germany.

A police investigation is underway after a man drove a car “at speed” into a crowd in the German town of Magdeburg.

A man, believed to be in his 50s, has been arrested by police.

What do we know about the suspect so far?

Saxony-Anhalt's State Premier Reiner Haseloff said the suspect, who's under arrest, is a 50-year-old Saudi Arabian doctor who came to Germany in 2006, named in the German press as Taleb A.

It is believed he was acting alone and was not previously known to security forces.

He was reportedly granted asylum in Germany after expressing "anti-Islam" views in his home country.

According to German media, the suspect had expressed far-right views online and supported the Alternative for Germany (AdD) party.

Saxony-Anhalt's interior minister, Tamara Zieschang, told reporters the suspect has been practising medicine in Bernburg, about 23 miles (36km) south of Magdeburg.

Read more: Number of deaths could continue to rise, official warns, after car ploughs into crowd at Christmas market killing two

The car used in the attack was a rental vehicle registered to Munich.

It is believed the car was carrying an explosive device, the German public broadcaster MDR reported.

How did police respond?

Reports of an incident in the German town emerged on Friday evening.

Magdeburg, which is west of Berlin, is the state capital of Saxony-Anhalt and has about 240,000 inhabitants.

In their initial report on the event, local police said: “Extensive police operations are currently taking place at the Magdeburg Christmas market.

"The Christmas market in the city centre is closed. Further reports will be made."

Images shared online showed a massive police presence, with one video exposing the moment the suspect was arrested.

Video thought to be of the incident shows a car ploughing through shoppers surrounded by stalls on either side, leaving dozens of people on the floor.

Different footage shows onlookers trying to help those on the floor.

Police said the car was driven “at least 400 meters across the Christmas market”.

Footage posted on social media showed at least nine police cars at the site.

What is the death toll?

So far, five people are known to have died.

Haseloff also confirmed German media reports that more than 200 others have been injured.

Tributes pour in

Tributes from world leaders and celebrities have poured in following the incident.

Germany's chancellor Olaf Scholz said: “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."

Mr Scholz has visited the scene today.

The German foreign minister said: "The images from Magdeburg shock me deeply. For families and friends who wanted to spend time together at the Christmas market, nothing is as it was.

"My deepest sympathy goes out to the victims and their families. My thanks to the rescue workers and helpers."

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: "My thoughts today are with the victims of the brutal and cowardly act in Magdeburg.

"My condolences go out to the family and friends, my thanks to the police and rescue workers.

"This act of violence must be investigated and severely punished."

French President Emmanuel Macron said: "Deeply shocked by the horror that struck the Magdeburg Christmas market in Germany.

"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."

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said: "I am deeply shocked by the brutal attack on the defenseless crowd at the Christmas market in Magdeburg.

"I stand with the entire government, the families of the victims, the injured and all the German people. Violence must have no place in our democracies."

UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “I am horrified by the atrocious attack in Magdeburg.

“My thoughts are with the victims, their families and all those affected.

“We stand with the people of Germany.”

England captain and Bayern Munich star Harry Kane took to X and wrote: “Hearing news of the tragedy in Magdeburg puts things in perspective and on nights like this football isn’t what’s most important.

“My thoughts and condolences are with all those affected by the horrific tragedy.”