Car-ramming attack in German Christmas market kills 5

International

A NINE-YEAR-OLD boy was among the five casualties in a car-ramming attack that happened in a Christmas market in Magdeburg City, Germany.

Nine-year-old Andre Gleissner and four adults were killed in the attack that also left over 200 people injured.

The suspect, who is already in police custody, drove a black BMW SUV, sped up then ploughed 400 meters through the busy crowd in the market on Friday evening.

Video footage showing the horrifying attack has circulated online.

A BBC report stated that out of the injured, over 40 were critical.

After the attack, authorities were forced to close the market for the rest of the season.

Local media identified the suspect as Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, a 50-year-old Saudi citizen who, according to the German authorities, “acted alone” in the attack.

The suspect is a psychiatrist working in Bernburg, a small town about 25 miles south of Magdeburg. He has been living in Germany since 2006.

The motive of the attack is unclear according to authorities but, Magdeburg prosecutor, Horst Nopens, said one reason could be the suspect’s frustration with how Germany handles and treats the Saudi Arabian refugees.

According to Reuters, the suspect’s X account suggested he supported anti-Island and far-right parties, including the Alternative for Germany (AfD), and had criticized Germany for its handling of Saudi refugees.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed “worry” about the said attack that injured nearly 40 people.

“There is no more peaceful, more joyous place in Germany than Christmas markets when people come together ahead of the Christmas festival and spend some time together, drink mulled wine, have a sausage together to relax together,” Scholz said.

Al-Abdulmohsen is now in custody of authorities being questioned and he is about to face multiple charges like murder, attempted murder in due course, and multiple counts of dangerous bodily harm.(LAO)