India Denounces 'Shocking and Unjustifiable Assault' in Germany

New Delhi, Dec 21 (NationPress) India on Saturday denounced the shocking and unjustifiable assault in Germany that has reportedly resulted in the deaths of five individuals and left over 200 injured.

We strongly condemn the shocking and unjustifiable assault at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany. Many precious lives have been lost, and numerous individuals have sustained injuries. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims,” stated the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in a release issued late Saturday evening.

“Our Mission is in touch with injured Indians and their families, providing all necessary assistance,” it further added.

The tragic event took place on Friday evening when a vehicle crashed into the bustling market filled with Christmas shoppers.

The suspect, recognized as Taleb A., a Saudi Arabian national, was apprehended post-incident.

Taleb, a physician residing in Germany since 2006, has been practicing in Saxony-Anhalt, as reported by state premier Reiner Haseloff.

In a statement, the Saudi Foreign Ministry expressed its disapproval of the attack.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses its strong condemnation of the incident in Magdeburg, where a vehicle collided with crowds, leading to casualties and injuries,” it stated.

“The Kingdom stands in solidarity with the German populace and the victims' families. It reiterates its position against violence and extends heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, the government, and the citizens of Germany, wishing a swift recovery to the injured,” the announcement continued.

The premier of Saxony-Anhalt disclosed that several of the injured remain in critical condition, raising fears that the death toll may increase. Haseloff also noted that the suspect had not been previously known to authorities for any Islamist activities.

CCTV footage from the scene shows the suspect on the ground beside a severely damaged black vehicle as police took him into custody. Local news outlets identified the vehicle as a black BMW, which witnesses reported zigzagged through the market around 7:04 p.m., causing widespread panic.

Officials stated that the car traveled at least 400 meters through the market before being halted. The vibrant Christmas market, located adjacent to Magdeburg's city hall, was promptly closed following the attack. Emergency services, including ambulances and firefighting personnel, were dispatched to assist the victims.

Magdeburg, with a population of roughly 237,000, is located in Saxony-Anhalt, approximately 150 kilometers west of Berlin.

Friday's incident recalls the Berlin Christmas market attack, where a truck was intentionally driven into a crowd, resulting in 12 fatalities and over 70 injuries. That assailant fled to Italy, where he was ultimately shot dead by law enforcement.

Investigations into the Magdeburg incident are ongoing, with authorities striving to uncover the motive behind the attack.