Police swiftly detained the suspect, a psychiatrist named Taleb A., who had been living in Germany since 2006.
Magdeburg, Germany – A deadly car-ramming attack at a Christmas market in Magdeburg on Friday evening left at least two people dead, including a young child, and 68 others injured. German police have arrested a 50-year-old Saudi Arabian man, identified as a medical doctor, who is accused of deliberately driving his black BMW SUV through the crowded market at high speed, causing horrific carnage.
The attack occurred around 7:00 PM local time in the heart of the city, located about 130 kilometers southwest of Berlin. Authorities confirmed the vehicle sped through the market for at least 400 meters, leaving behind a trail of bloody casualties, shattered glass, and debris.
Police swiftly detained the suspect, a psychiatrist named Taleb A., who had been living in Germany since 2006. Regional officials, including Saxony-Anhalt Premier Reiner Haseloff, assured the public that the suspect acted alone and there is no further threat to the community.
Emergency responders, including around 100 police, ambulances, and fire services, rushed to the scene, providing medical care to the injured and evacuating them to nearby hospitals. Witnesses reported chaotic scenes with cries and screams filling the air as the area, lit with Christmas decorations, was transformed into a scene of devastation.
City spokesman Michael Reif described the images as “terrible,” reflecting the shock and horror that gripped the community following the attack. Authorities are continuing to investigate the motive behind the incident, while the city of Magdeburg mourns the tragic loss.
