Authorities estimate between 60 and 80 injured
At least two people died and several were injured following a mass collision at a Christmas market in Madgeburg, Germany, according to German broadcaster MDR. The driver was detained at the scene.
According to witnesses at the scene, at 7pm (local time, 6pm in mainland Portugal) the driver of a dark BMW drove directly into the crowd at the Christmas market, causing between 60 and 80 injuries, according to the Bild newspaper, which provides estimates from the authorities in location.
German police suspect that there may be an explosive device inside the vehicle, according to German broadcaster MDR.
Quoted by CNN, Magdeburg government spokesman Michael Reif said that preliminary information suggests that “there was an attack on the Christmas market” and authorities are investigating what happened.
Images from the scene shared on social media by witnesses show dozens of victims lying on the ground, receiving medical attention.
In a reaction on social media, the German Chancellor writes that “the reports from Magdeburg suggest that something bad happened.” “My thoughts are with the victims and their families,” he added, thanking the rescue teams at the scene.
The reports from Magdeburg suggest something bad.
My thoughts are with the victims and their families. We stand by your side and by the people of Magdeburg. My thanks go to the dedicated rescue workers in these anxious hours.
— Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (@Federal Chancellor)
Mass run-over at a Christmas market in Germany (Dörthe Hein/dpa via AP)
The Christmas market site is surrounded by police and dozens of emergency medical vehicles.
Magdeburg, which is west of Berlin, is the capital of the state of Saxony-Anhalt and has around 240,000 inhabitants. According to the official schedule, the Christmas market is open between November 22nd and December 29th.
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser had recently appealed to the public to be vigilant at Christmas markets, without mentioning any specific threats.
Intelligence services recently warned that Christmas markets are an “ideologically suitable target for people motivated by Islam”.
