Vehicle plows into crowded Christmas market in Germany, killing 2 and injuring dozens

At least two people were killed, and more than 60 were injured when a car plowed through a crowded Christmas market in eastern Germany on Friday. The suspected driver, identified as a doctor from Saudi Arabia who lived in Germany, was detained, according to a local official.

The suspect acted alone, and there was no ongoing threat to the public. The official did not rule out additional deaths due to the severity of some of the injuries, according to the news outlet.

A short video of the incident posted on X and geolocated to the city of Magdeburg in eastern Germany showed a vehicle speeding through a large group of shoppers. Dozens of people are run over as others scramble to safety. The vehicle races straight before making a right turn, away from the view of the camera.

A Facebook page for the city of Magdeburg reported that at least one person had been killed and 68 were injured, 15 of whom were categorized as in serious condition. Earlier, news agency AFP reported that up to 80 people had been injured.

Reuters reported a city spokesperson for Magdeburg called the incident an “attack.” Numerous people were injured and area hospitals were preparing for a mass casualty event, the spokesperson said.

“Extensive police operations are currently taking place at the Magdeburg Christmas market. The Christmas market in the city center is closed,” police said in a post on X. Police also released a hotline for people affected so they can contact their relatives.

The driver of the car was arrested, Reuters cited German news agency dpa as reporting.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz warned of a difficult time ahead.

“My thoughts are with the victims and their families,” Scholz said in a post on X. “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.”

Germany’s vice chancellor Robert Habeck lamented the incident calling it “terrible news” in a post on X.

In an eerily similar incident, a driver plowed into a Christmas market in 2016 in Berlin, killing at least 12 people and injuring dozens more.

Police in New York City have increased security at holiday markets as a precaution and in response to the incident in Germany, a senior NYPD official told NBC News on Friday.

Additional resources will be sent to numerous holiday markets and high-profile locations across the city. Threats have been made to some markets overseas, but no specific local threat has been made, the official said.