Five killed and dozens injured in terrorist attack at German Christmas market

A new terrorist attack hit the city of Magdeburg, Germany, this Friday. The event occurred at a Christmas market held in the center of the German city.

According to German authorities, a vehicle rammed at full speed into a Christmas market in the city, taking numerous attendees with it. According to initial reports, the bloody attack left five people dead and between 60 and 80 injured, many of them in critical condition.

According to German officials, the suspect is a 50-year-old doctor who arrived in the country in 2006 from Saudi Arabia.

Christmas markets are a typical celebration in Europe and one of the most common targets of terrorist attacks as they are held during the Christmas season and bring together large groups of people.

According to the German newspaper Bild, the driver of the vehicle was arrested immediately after the attack. He was driving a black vehicle.

A few days ago, increased security in Christmas markets in Germany began. Among other measures, the police announced that they would pay special attention to knives or other bladed weapons during street searches, as these were the ones used in the latest Islamist attacks in Germany.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz provided no update on the attack but, in a message posted on X, said, "My thoughts are with the victims and their families. We stand by them and the people of Magdeburg. My thanks to the dedicated rescue workers in these anxious hours."

The attack in Magdeburg is reminiscent of another mass shooting in 2016 when a truck drove through a Christmas market in Berlin, killing 12 people and injuring around 50.