At least two people were killed and several others injured after a car plowed into a crowd at a Christmas market in Germany, according to local media reports this Friday (20). 68 people are believed to have been injured, including 15 who are in critical condition.
The perpetrator of the attack is a doctor from Saudi Arabia, according to State Prime Minister Reiner Haseloff, as reported by Reuters.
Haseloff added that the perpetrator acted alone and that at least 60 people were injured. One of the people who died was a young child, according to the prime minister.
The driver was arrested after the incident in the city of Magdeburg, which is west of Berlin, the news agency reported. dpa.
City spokesman Michael Reif said it was suspected that the collision was a deliberate act, adding that there were “many injuries” and that the “images are terrible.”
“My information is that a car ran over visitors to the Christmas market, but I cannot yet say from what direction and how far,” Reif said.
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Magdeburg University Hospital said it is treating 10 to 20 patients and is preparing for more, as reported by dpa.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz issued a statement on the incident, saying his “thoughts are with the victims and their families.”
According to Reiner Haseloff, Scholz is expected to visit the site of the attack this Saturday (21). “The chancellor will be here tomorrow and will assess the situation with us and will certainly not only mourn with us but also discuss the necessary measures,” he said at a press conference.
