At least two people, including a child, were killed, and 68 others injured when a car ploughed through a crowded Christmas market in the central German city of Magdeburg on Friday evening.

Authorities have declared the incident an intentional attack, with the driver, a 50-year-old Saudi doctor, taken into custody at the scene.

The horrific event unfolded around 7 pm local time (18:00 GMT) when the vehicle sped through the bustling market, leaving chaos in its wake. Among the injured, 15 remain in critical condition, while 37 sustained moderate injuries, and 16 were lightly hurt, according to local government updates.

Chancellor Scholz expresses condolences

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, expressing grief over the tragedy, said, “The reports from Magdeburg suggest something terrible has happened. My thoughts are with the victims and their families.” Scholz announced plans to visit the site on Saturday to offer support to the city’s residents.

“We stand by the people of Magdeburg. My thanks go to the dedicated rescue workers in these anxious hours,” Scholz wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Tamara Zieschang, the interior minister of Saxony-Anhalt, identified the suspect as a 50-year-old doctor from Saudi Arabia who has been living in Germany since 2006.

Authorities confirmed that he was previously unknown to security services.

Saxony-Anhalt’s Premier, Reiner Haseloff, confirmed that the deceased include a child and an adult, adding, “Every human life lost is a terrible tragedy and one life too many.” He stated that the attacker acted alone and assured the public that there was no ongoing threat to the city.

Christmas market devastated

The Magdeburg Christmas market, a centuries-old tradition, was filled with families enjoying festive treats and regional goods when the tragedy occurred. Witnesses described scenes of panic and devastation as rescue teams rushed to assist victims.

Premier Haseloff called the incident a catastrophe for the city, saying, “This is really one of the worst things one can imagine, particularly in connection with what a Christmas market should bring—joy, togetherness, and celebration.”

While the motive behind the attack remains unclear, authorities are treating the incident as intentional. Investigators are now piecing together details about the suspect and the events leading up to the attack.