Five dead ‘including child’ & 200 injured in Magdeburg Christmas market attack after Saudi doctor ploughs car into crowd

FIVE people including a toddler have died after a Saudi doctor deliberately drove into crowds at a German Christmas market.

At least 200 people were injured in the attack in Magdeburg, with dozens being seriously hurt after the car ploughed into unsuspecting revellers.

The suspect, named by local media as Taleb A, was travelling at up to 40mph when he first smashed into those at the festive celebrations, horrified witnesses said.

He reportedly raced through the packed market for at least 400m (1,300ft) - leaving trails of devastation in his path.

Officials fear the number of deaths could rise in the coming hours due to the severity of many of the victim's injuries.

Footage later captured the driver of a black BMW being arrested at the scene just after 7.04pm local time on Friday.

Taleb was first identified only as a 50-year-old Saudi doctor who arrived in Germany in 2006, the state's prime minister Reiner Haseloff said.

It is being reported that he is an anti-Islam activist who arrived as a refugee from Saudi Arabia, according to Bild.

He has lived in the nearby town of Bernburg - just over 30 minutes from Magdeburg - since fleeing the Middle East.

Mr Haseloff told reporters at the scene: “We have arrested the perpetrator.

“From what we currently know he was a lone attacker so we don’t think there is any further danger for the city.”

The man's motive remains unclear.

German newspaper Bild initially suggested that 11 people had been killed however just five deaths have been confirmed so far.

There were also reports claiming there may have been a bomb in the passenger seat of the BMW after a suspicious piece of luggage was found.

The city of Halle is now increasing security at its Christmas market as tensions remain high.

As fears are also growing of a "copycat" attack over in the UK due to the attack.

The car was driven “across the Christmas market”, according to a police spokesman.

Witnesses said the ground was covered in blood and tinsel as doctors scrambled to treat the injured.

The first two deaths were later confirmed by Mr Haseloff with city authorities confirming a total of at least 68 people were hurt.

The car went "through people" and sent others "going over it", a man standing just feet away from the crash added.

Some of the injured are said to be in a critical condition with a huge number of emergency workers at the scene.

Tents were immediately set up to treat victims while all hospitals in the area said they were preparing for a “mass casualty event”.

Neighbouring cities, including Halle, around 50 miles from Magdeburg, also prepared their hospitals to take in victims.

A special hotline was set up last night for family and friends fearing for their loved ones.

Lars Frohmüller, a reporter for German public broadcaster MDR told the BBC: "It was a real chaotic situation.

"We saw blood on the floor, we saw people sitting beside each other and having golden and silver foils around them.

"And we saw many doctors trying to keep people warm and help them with their injuries.

"Everywhere were ambulances, there were police, there were a lot of firefighters."

Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry has condemned the attack and said it will stand in solidarity with Germany and the victim's love ones.

Armed cops were stationed all around the area - with pictures showing people led away on stretchers.

One witness who gave her name as Nadine said her boyfriend Marco was ripped out of her arms when he was hit by the car.

She told Bild: "He was hit and pulled away from my side. It was terrible.

"Nobody even screamed. You couldn't hear the car either."

Marco had injuries to his leg and head: "We don't know which hospital he went to. The uncertainty is unbearable."

The Christmas market posted to Instagram to ask people to stay away.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said “reports from Magdeburg lead us to fear the worst”. He added: “My thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones.

“We stand by their side and by the side of all Magdeburg residents. My thanks to all the emergency services in these difficult hours.”

Mr Scholz and Interior Minister Nancy Faeser will travel to the scene of the incident today.

Robert Habeck, Germany’s vice-chancellor, said on X: “What terrible news from Magdeburg, where people wanted to spend the advent season in peace and community.

“My thoughts are with the victims and their families. I thank all the emergency services on site who are doing everything they can to help and to clarify the background.”

Meanwhile UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer wrote on X: "I am horrified by the atrocious attack in Magdeburg tonight.

"My thoughts are with the victims, their families and all those affected. We stand with the people of Germany."

Star English footballer Harry Kane, who is playing for Bayern Munich, also shared a tribute in a post on X.

He said: "Hearing news of the tragedy in Magdeburg puts things in perspective and on nights like this football isn’t what’s most important.

"My thoughts and condolences are with all those affected by the horrific tragedy."

The German footballing giants in Munich decided to cancel a planned Christmas ceremony which was scheduled for after their clash with RB Leipzig yesterday.

The crowd came together instead and sang an emotional rendition of Silent Night, Holy Night with a local choir.

French President Emmanuel Macron also added he is "deeply shocked by the horror that struck the Magdeburg Christmas market".