A devastating attack at a Christmas market in the eastern German city of Magdeburg on Friday evening has left at least two people dead, including a small child, and injured at least 68 others.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has offered condolences to victims:
“Horrific news from the Magdeburg Christmas market in Germany. My thoughts, and those of all Australians, are with the victims and their loved ones.”
According to media reports, the incident occurred around 7pm local time when a black BMW, driven at high speed, ploughed through a crowded market, travelling for 400 metres towards the town hall, witnesses reported.
Emergency services rushed to the scene, treating victims in the chaos, with videos on social media showing people fleeing in panic and some knocked to the ground.
The suspect, as per SBS, a 50-year-old Saudi doctor, was arrested shortly after the attack. Authorities confirmed that the man, who has lived in Germany since 2006 and was granted refugee status in 2016, acted alone.
Magdeburg’s mayor and Saxony-Anhalt’s officials quickly labelled the incident as a terror attack, with over 15 of the injured in critical condition.
Many victims were families, with reports stating that the attacker deliberately targeted an area decorated with fairytale scenes where children were gathered.
Leaders across Europe expressed their horror at the attack, with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron offering condolences.
Authorities are continuing their investigation, but they have stated that there is no further threat to the city. Security experts have raised concerns over how the car was able to breach security barriers designed to protect crowded markets.
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