Details of Magdeburg terrorist attack unveiled

According to German media, two people were killed and dozens were injured when a car rammed into a crowd of a Christmas market revellers in Magdeburg, Kazinform News Agency reports.

Governor of Saxony-Anhalt Reiner Haseloff said that police arrested a Saudi national suspected of driving his car into the crowd of people. The man has been living in Germany since 2006.

The tragedy occurred at around 7 p.m. when a man in a rented car crashed into a crowd of people at high speed. Two people including a small child died, and at least 60 were injured. Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser said that she and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz would visit Magdeburg today.

A memorial service for the victims of the attack will be held at the Magdeburg Cathedral on Saturday evening. City spokesman Michael Reif also said that cultural events will be cancelled in the city in the coming days.

French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his condolences on social media in French and German.

"Deeply shocked by the horror that struck the Magdeburg Christmas market in Germany this evening. My thoughts are with the victims, the injured, and their loved ones and families. France shares the pain of the German people and expresses its full solidarity," he tweeted.

The President of the European Commission, the presidents of the European Parliament and the European Council expressed their condolences too.

Olaf Sholtz posted on social media earlier, that "the reports from Magdeburg suggest something bad is about to happen."

"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," his post on X reads.

Earlier, it was reported that regional government spokesperson Matthias Schuppe said the attack is believed to be a terrorist act. Magdeburg officials, too, view the incident as a terrorist attack.