German Chancellor Olaf Scholz paid tribute to the victims of the devastating attack on Magdeburg Christmas market on Friday, which left five people dead and hundreds injured. The suspected perpetrator has been arrested but his motivation for the attack remains unclear.
At around 19:00 on Friday evening, a SUV suddenly ploughed through the local Christmas market, hitting pedestrians over a stretch of 400 metres. Five people have now been confirmed dead by German media, including a child. Over 200 are said to have been injured, according to Belga News Agency.
'Motivation remains mysterious'
German media have identified the suspected perpetrator as Taleb A. The 50-year-old is of Saudi origin and has been living in Germany since 2006. He is a medical doctor practising in Bernburg, near Magdeburg, and holds refugee status. He was not known for having ties with jihadist movements.
On the contrary, his frequent social media posts depict him as feeling persecuted, having broken ties with Islam, and warning against the "dangers" of Islamisation in Germany.
Some media outlets have suggested he supported the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and Elon Musk. He was known within the Saudi emigrant community in Germany and supported asylum seekers, particularly women.
"The motivation remains mysterious, with an Islamist background seemingly ruled out," according to weekly publication Der Spiegel.
Local police added that "at this stage of the investigation, it is not yet possible to determine what happened at the Christmas market."
Chancellor visits scene of attack
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited the scene on Saturday morning, accompanied by his Home Affairs Minister.
Dressed in black, Scholz laid flowers on the church square opposite the scene of the tragedy, which occurred in the midst of an election campaign. Many people preceded him, laying bouquets and candles on the square.
"It is important that we stand together as a country, that we stick together and that we talk to each other," said the Chancellor at the scene of the tragedy. "We will not let through those who want to sow hatred."
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visits the site of an attack on a Christmas market in Magdeburg, eastern Germany, 21 December 2024. Credit: Ronny Hartmann / AFP / Belga
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also gave her condolences and said her thoughts were with the victims of the "brutal and cowardly act".
Meine Gedanken sind heute bei den Opfern der brutalen und feigen Tat in Magdeburg.
Mein Beileid gilt den Angehörigen und Freunden, mein Dank der Polizei und den Rettungskräften. Diese Gewalttat muss aufgeklärt und hart geahndet werden. — Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) December 20, 2024
Translation: My thoughts are with the victims of the brutal and cowardly act in Magdeburg today. My condolences go to the relatives and friends, my thanks to the police and the emergency services. This act of violence must be investigated and severely punished.
Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Bernard Quintin also said his thoughts were with the victims and their families, and that "nothing can justify such violence."
The Magdeburg attack comes almost eight years to the day after Germany suffered its deadliest ever jihadist attack. In December 2016, a Tunisian man drove a truck through a Berlin Christmas market, killing 13 people.
Authorities believe the date is no coincidence and was chosen deliberately. But so far there has been no indication that this was a jihadist attack, as was the case in Berlin in 2016.
This article was updated at 14:42 with the latest information.
