A car attack on a crowded Christmas market on Friday in Magdeburg, Germany, left five people dead, including a nine-year-old boy, and over 200 injured.
The suspect, identified as 50-year-old Saudi citizen Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, has been arrested and remanded in custody and will be charged with murder, attempted murder, and dangerous bodily harm.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned the attack as a “dreadful tragedy” and vowed to ensure that “all resources” would be devoted to uncovering the motives behind it.
“What a terrible act it is to injure and kill so many people there with such brutality,” Scholz said.
Global Shockwave
The attack has sent shockwaves across the globe, with Nigerian government sending condolences to the Government and people of Germany.
German President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier had only last week visited Nigeria.
The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, “The Federal Republic of Nigeria wishes to express her sincere condolences to the Government and the People of the Federal Republic of Germany following a car attack on a crowded Christmas market.“
Prosecutor Horst Walter Nopens revealed that one potential motive might be related to the suspect’s frustration with the treatment of Saudi Arabian refugees in Germany. However, the investigation is yet to come up with a definitive answer, and police have appealed to the public to share photos or videos of the incident to aid in their inquiries.
Witnesses described scenes of chaos as a black BMW ploughed through the bustling market, forcing people to jump out of its path.
Nadine, a survivor, recounted the terrifying moment she and her boyfriend Marco were struck by the speeding vehicle.
“He was hit and pulled away from my side,” she said. “It was terrible.”
A memorial service was held at Magdeburg Cathedral, attended by grieving families, emergency responders, and Chancellor Scholz.
The city of Magdeburg remains in mourning, grappling with the aftermath of an attack that has cast a shadow over the festive season and left people around the world perplexed about the dark side of humanity.
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