Saudi Arabia Denounces Attack on German Christmas Market Resulting in Two Fatalities and 68 Injuries

Riyadh, Dec 21 (NationPress) Saudi Arabia has expressed its strong condemnation of the horrific attack that took place at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, leading to the deaths of two individuals, one of whom was a child, while injuring no fewer than 68 others.

The tragic event unfolded on Friday evening when a vehicle surged into the packed market, which was bustling with shoppers preparing for the festive season.

The suspect, a Saudi national named Taleb A., was apprehended following the incident. Taleb has been a resident of Germany since 2006 and has been practicing medicine in Saxony-Anhalt, as noted by state premier Reiner Haseloff.

In a statement released on Friday, the Saudi Foreign Ministry conveyed its deep disapproval of the attack, declaring, "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses its strong condemnation of the incident in Magdeburg, in which a car plowed into crowds, resulting in deaths and injury of a number of people."

"The Kingdom stands in solidarity with the German people and the families affected. It reaffirms its opposition to violence and extends heartfelt condolences to the grieving families, the government, and the citizens of Germany, wishing the injured a quick recovery," the statement further stated.

According to Saxony-Anhalt's premier, 15 of the injured individuals remain in critical condition, raising fears that the death toll could increase. Haseloff also indicated that the suspect had not been previously known to law enforcement for involvement in Islamist activities.

Surveillance footage from the scene illustrates the suspect lying on the ground beside a severely damaged black car as law enforcement took him into custody. Local reports identified the vehicle as a black BMW, which witnesses claimed drove erratically through the market around 7:04 P.M., instigating widespread chaos.

Authorities stated that the car traveled at least 400 meters through the market before being halted. The lively Christmas market, located near Magdeburg's city hall, was promptly shut down after the attack. Emergency responders, including ambulances and fire crews, were dispatched to assist the victims.

Magdeburg, a city home to approximately 237,000 residents, lies in Saxony-Anhalt, about 150 kilometers west of Berlin.

This incident recalls the 2016 Berlin Christmas market attack, where a truck was intentionally driven into a crowd, resulting in 12 deaths and over 70 injuries. The perpetrator fled to Italy and was subsequently shot by police.

Investigations into the Magdeburg incident are currently underway, with authorities striving to ascertain the motive behind the attack.