The driver involved in the ramming operation was detained, and officials described the incident as an attack.
At least two people were killed and up to 68 others were injured after a car crashed into a crowded Christmas market in the city of Magdeburg, part of the central German state of Saxony-Anhalt.
On Friday night, officials described the incident as an intentional attack and announced that the driver had been taken into custody.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was among many people who offered their condolences in the immediate aftermath of the accident.
“My thoughts are with the victims and their families,” Schulz said. books On the social media platform X.
“We stand with them and the people of Magdeburg. I thank the dedicated rescue workers in these difficult hours.
Saxony-Anhalt Interior Minister Tamara Zieschang said the suspect was a 50-year-old Saudi doctor who arrived in Germany in 2006.
Another government official, Prime Minister Rainer Haselof, told a local TV channel that one of the dead included a child.
“This is a terrible event, especially now in the days before Christmas,” Haseloff told the German news agency (DPA).
Among the injured, 15 people were identified in critical condition, according to the city government’s website. Another 37 people were moderately injured and 16 others were slightly injured.
Local media reports indicate that the vehicle in question was seen traveling at a high speed, before crashing into the crowd at around 7pm local time (18:00 GMT).
More details to follow.
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