The death toll in the tragic Christmas market attack in Magdeburg, Germany, has risen to five, with over 200 people injured. Authorities have identified a 50-year-old Saudi doctor, Taleb A., as the primary suspect.
Vigils and memorials have been held in the German city of Magdeburg and further afield after a car-ramming attack at a Christmas market killed five people including a nine-year-old child.
Grieving families and residents created a spontaneous memorial at a church overlooking Magdeburg’s Christmas market where the attack took place.
As the day passed, politicians, including Chancellor Olaf Scholz, came to lay flowers at the spontaneous memorial.
More than 200 people were injured in the incident with 41 sustaining either serious or critical injuries.
Reports indicate that Saudi Arabia had previously warned Germany about the suspect’s extremist views.
The suspect, who has been living in Germany since 2006, was arrested at the scene and is believed to have acted alone. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with the victims and their families.
The motive behind the attack remains unclear, but the suspect’s social media posts suggest he was critical of Islam and promoted conspiracy theories about Islamic supremacy in Europe. The incident has sparked global condemnation and raised concerns about security at public events.
Authorities continue to investigate the case, and a memorial service is planned for the victims in Magdeburg Cathedral.
