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

At least two people were killed and more than 60 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.

The victims include an adult and a child, the official said.

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 while others crawl to safety. The vehicle drives straight ahead before turning right, away from the camera’s view.

Reuters reported that a Magdeburg city spokesman called the incident an “attack”. Area hospitals were preparing for a mass casualty incident, the spokesman said.

“Extensive police actions are currently taking place at the Magdeburg Christmas market. The Christmas market in the city center is closed,” the police said in a post on X. The police also released one hotline for affected persons so that they can contact their next of kin.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz warned of a difficult time ahead.

“My thoughts are with the victims and their families,” Scholz said in a post about X. “We stand by their side and by the side of the people of Magdeburg. My thanks go to the committed rescue workers in these anxious hours.”

German 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 Berlin in 2016, killing at least 12 people and injuring dozens more.

New York City police 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 several holiday markets and high-profile locations throughout the city. Threats have been made against some markets overseas, but no specific local threat has been made, the official said.