Germany: Car Drives into Christmas Market, at Least 11 Dead

A car drove into a group of people at a Christmas market in the eastern German city of Magdeburg on Friday evening, December 20.  

According to unconfirmed reports, at least 11 people were killed. Magdeburg emergency services reported that between 60 to 80 people were injured. Several people were “severely” injured”, a spokesman told French media.  

The suspect, a 50-year-old psychiatrist who has lived in Germany for almost two decades, was arrested at the scene following the three-minute attack in the central city that shocked the country. Authorities said on Saturday the motive was not clear. 

However, the Magdeburg prosecutor, Horst Nopens, said one possible factor could be what he called the suspect’s frustration with Germany’s handling of Saudi refugees. Posts on the suspect’s X account, verified by British media, suggested he supported anti-Islam and far-right parties. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said the suspect’s islamophobia was clear to see, but she declined to comment on the motive.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz commented on the incident and warned that the death toll is likely to rise. “The reports from Magdeburg suggest something terrible is to come. My thoughts are with the victims and their families. We stand by their side and by the side of the people of Magdeburg. My thanks go to the dedicated rescue workers in these anxious hours,” he said in a statement. (INN/VFI News)  

“Lord, we pray for all the people who tragically lost their family members three days ago during the violent attack at the Christmas market. We send our heartfelt condolences to them and we ask in Yeshua’s name that You comfort them and heal their emotional wounds. We pray for the full recovery of the injured and that their mental health will also be restored quickly. We pray that hatred of any kind will come to an end and that You prevent deranged individuals from wreaking havoc on innocent civilians.”