Tragedy at German Christmas market as speeding car leaves one dead, dozens injured

At least one person is dead and almost 80 have been injured after a car plowed into a crowded Christmas market in the German city of Magdeburg, according to local authorities.
Local broadcaster MDR reported that the driver of the car has been arrested.
Footage shared on social media and verified by CNN captured the harrowing moment a black car sped through the crowd. The video shows people running in panic or diving into market stalls for cover. Debris and injured individuals were left scattered across the narrow lanes of the market.
The whole ordeal was shared by a user on social media platform X.

Magdeburg police confirmed on social media that extensive emergency measures are in place at the scene, according to news agency CNN.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed his condolences, writing, "We are at their side and at the side of the people of Magdeburg. My thanks go to the dedicated rescue workers in these anxious hours."

Reiner Haseloff, the prime minister of Saxony-Anhalt, described the event as "terrible, especially now in the days before Christmas." He is travelling to Magdeburg to assess the situation.

The Christmas market, which attracts thousands of visitors each year is located in the state capital of Saxony-Anhalt and features around 140 stalls, an ice skating rink along with other attractions. It was scheduled to remain open until 29 December. Magdeburg, with a population of approximately 240,000, is situated west of Berlin.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident as the community grapples with the tragedy.