MAGDEBURG, Germany — The death toll from the Christmas market attack in Magdeburg has risen to five, including a 9-year-old child, after a Saudi doctor drove his car into a crowded market on Friday night.
The driver, a 50-year-old man who has lived in Germany since 2006, is under investigation for murder and attempted murder, with 200 people injured, 41 of whom are in serious condition.
City official Ronni Krug confirmed the casualties as the community mourned. Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned the attack, stating, “What a terrible act it is to injure and kill so many people there with such brutality.”
Witnesses reported chaos as the driver plowed through the market, with one bystander recalling a child being thrown into the air. Neurosurgeon Mahmoud Elenbaby noted that around 80 victims were treated at Magdeburg’s university hospital, with many still in intensive care.
The suspect, identified as Taleb A., shared anti-Islam sentiments on social media and reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with the treatment of Saudi refugees in Germany. Investigators are working to determine the exact motive behind the attack.
The violence has shaken the city and prompted increased security at Christmas markets nationwide, as communities come together to honor the victims and reinforce safety measures during this festive season. A memorial service is planned in the city cathedral.
