AT LEAST 2 KILLED, 60 INJURED AS CAR RAMS INTO CHRISTMAS MARKET IN GERMANY

BERLIN, Dec 21 (Bernama-AA) -- At least two people were killed and 60 others injured after a car drove into a crowd at a Christmas market on Friday in the eastern German city of Magdeburg, Anadolu Agency reported.

Saxony-Anhalt’s Premier, Reiner Haseloff, said an adult and a child were killed in the “attack.” He warned that the toll could rise, as several victims sustained severe injuries.

According to regional broadcaster MDR, nearly 70 victims were hospitalised, including 15 with life-threatening injuries.

The attack occurred at around 19:04 local time (1804 GMT) in the popular Christmas market at Magdeburg's city centre. Videos on social media showed a dark car speeding into the crowd, sending people fleeing in panic and causing chaos at the festive gathering.

Haseloff confirmed that the driver was arrested immediately after the incident.

“We have apprehended the perpetrator. He is a doctor from Saudi Arabia who works here in Saxony-Anhalt and has been in Germany since 2006,” he told reporters. Authorities have not disclosed a potential motive, but a preliminary investigation indicates there were no other suspects involved in the attack.

German authorities have not released details about the perpetrator's identity or commented on the reports while investigations are continuing.

Police maintained a heavy security presence at the Christmas market after the attack and cordoned off the area to secure the crime scene. Authorities urged residents to avoid the area while investigations were ongoing.

--BERNAMA-AA