German Christmas market car attack leaves 2 dead, Saudi Arabian doctor arrested

According to reports, 68 people were injured in the attack.

The head of the regional government, Reiner Haseloff, was quoted as saying by DW that the suspect was a 50-year-old Saudi national who worked as a doctor and had been resident in Germany since 2006.

He was reportedly arrested at the scene.

He is suspected to have acted alone.

The motive of the attack is still not known.

Magdeburg Police posted on X: "The suspect is said to be a 50-year-old man from Saudi Arabia. The man was arrested immediately at the crime scene and provisionally arrested. We are currently assuming that the attack was carried out by a lone perpetrator."

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reacted to the development and wrote on X: "The reports from Magdeburg suggest something terrible is to come."

"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," he said.

Saud Arabia expresses solidarity

Condemning the incident, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Affairs Department posted on X: "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's condemnation of the run-over incident that occurred in a market in the city of Magdeburg in the Federal Republic of Germany, which resulted in the death and injury of a number of people, expressing its solidarity with the German people and the families of the victims."

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen consoled the attack and wrote on X: "My thoughts today are with the victims of the brutal and cowardly act in Magdeburg."

"My condolences go out to the relatives and friends, my thanks to the police and the rescue services," she said.

She said the incident should be thoroughly investigated.

Macron says the incident left him 'shocked'.

French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X: "I am deeply shocked by the horrors that struck the Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany this evening."

"My thoughts are with the victims, the injured and their families. France shares the pain of the German people and expresses its deep solidarity with them," he said.