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2024 Magdeburg car attack

Coordinates: 52°07′54″N 11°38′20″E / 52.131678°N 11.638889°E / 52.131678; 11.638889
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2024 Magdeburg car attack
Part of the terrorism in Germany
The moments immediately before the attack. The car is visible near the bottom right.
Map
Location of the Magdeburg Christmas market
LocationMagdeburg Christmas market, Magdeburg, Germany
Coordinates52°07′54″N 11°38′20″E / 52.131678°N 11.638889°E / 52.131678; 11.638889
Date20 December 2024 (13 days ago) (2024-12-20)
19:04 (CET)
Attack type
Massacre, vehicle-ramming attack
WeaponBMW SUV
Deaths5
Injured≥205
AccusedTaleb Al-Abdulmohsen

On 20 December 2024, an SUV was driven into a crowd at the Magdeburg Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany. Five people were killed and at least 205 were injured. The alleged driver of the car, Taleb Al-Abdulmohsen, was arrested. According to authorities, the suspect was a refugee from Saudi Arabia who hated Muslims, and criticized Germany for not doing enough to stop Islamism.[1]

Background

The Magdeburg Christmas market in 2019

Magdeburg is the capital of the German state of Saxony-Anhalt. The city holds an annual Christmas market located near city hall and a large shopping center.[1]

Christmas markets have been targeted by vehicle-ramming attacks.[2] Minister of the interior and community Nancy Faeser said in November 2024 that there were no "concrete" threats to Christmas markets,[3][4] but that it was wise to maintain vigilance.[4]

The attack occurred a day after the eighth anniversary of a truck attack at a Berlin Christmas market. That attack, perpetrated by the Islamic State, killed 12 people and injured 56 others.[5]

Two weeks prior to the attack, an Iraqi man was arrested on suspicion of planning an attack against a Christmas market in Augsburg, Bavaria.[6]

Attack

At 19:04 CET on 20 December 2024, a driver drove a black BMW rental car,[5] reportedly rented shortly before the attack,[7] into a crowd at high speed at a Christmas market in Magdeburg.[8][9] The car moved at least 400 metres (1,300 ft), according to police.[10] The alleged driver of the vehicle was subsequently arrested at the Allee-Center tram station.[11]

People that were uninjured in the attack helped provide first aid to those injured before emergency services were able to arrive. Others described a chaotic aftermath with blood everywhere and people wrapped in emergency blankets to keep them warm.[12]

A spokesperson from the Saxony-Anhalt state government said it was "probably an attack".[13] A luggage item was discovered in the passenger seat of the vehicle[7] and police cordoned off the area after an explosive device was reportedly discovered inside the vehicle,[14] which was subsequently not found.[15]

Casualties

Five people were killed, including four adults and a nine-year-old boy.[16][17] More than 205 people were injured, including 41 in critical condition.[18][19][20][21]

Suspect

A suspect who was allegedly driving the vehicle was arrested.[22] According to information from the Minister-President of Saxony-Anhalt, Reiner Haseloff (CDU), the Saxony-Anhalt Interior Minister Tamara Zieschang [de] (CDU), as well as Die Welt and Der Spiegel, the suspected perpetrator is Taleb Al-Abdulmohsen, a 50-year-old atheist and Islamophobic doctor from Saudi Arabia who lives in Bernburg and who worked as a psychologist and psychiatrist in a correctional facility in a clinic in Bernburg. The suspected perpetrator immigrated to Germany in March 2006, was recognized as a refugee in July 2016 and has a settlement permit and thus a residence permit.[23][24][25][26][excessive citations] The Saudi monarchy is said to have warned German security authorities about Taleb A. three times in more recent past.[27] According to India Today, Al-Abdulmohsen is wanted by Saudi Arabia on charges related to terrorism and human trafficking, specifically allegations of facilitating the trafficking of individuals from Saudi Arabia and Persian Gulf states to the European Union. Despite Saudi Arabia's extradition request, Germany granted him political asylum in 2006, citing concerns over his safety and rights if he were returned to Saudi Arabia. The German government refused to extradite him, citing a lack of due process in Saudi Arabia.[28]

In media appearances, Abdulmohsen has been an ex-Muslim critic of Islam.[23] In 2019, Abdulmohsen gave interviews to the Frankfurter Rundschau and the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, in which he was presented as an escape/migration helper.[29][30] In these he says about himself: "I am the most aggressive critic of Islam in history. [...] There is no good Islam."[30] Der Spiegel reported on him in the same year; that he would – through his web forum wearesaudis.net and X – help others to escape from Saudi Arabia to Germany.[31] Also in the same year, Abuldmohsen appeared on the BBC showcasing his website intended to help asylum-seeking apostates, "especially from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region".[32] The suspect shared pro-Israel content on the Internet[33]; he published posts which claimed that "Parts of Syria were lucky enough to join Israel", retweeting a post made by Benjamin Netanyahu which celebrated the fall of Assad. He also expressed that "Arabs must pretend the annexation of Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and eventually Lebanon too, to Israel".[34][35]

In a 45 minute-video interview that appeared on an anti-Islamic US blog of the RAIR Foundation[36] eight days before the attack, Abdulmohsen spread theories that the German state is conducting a "covert secret operation" to "hunt and destroy the lives" of Saudi ex-Muslims around the world, but at the same time Syrian jihadists are receiving asylum in Germany.[36][24] In the same interview, he describes himself as leftist.[36] On X,[35] Abdulmohsen posted a machine gun with a US-flag as a profile picture and conspiracy theories such as "Germany is persecuting Saudi asylum seekers inside and outside Germany in order to destroy their lives" and "Germany wants to Islamize Europe."[23][35][37] Abdulmohsen also shared similar right-wing ideological content, including content from German politician Alice Weidel (AfD),[38] Alex Jones and Elon Musk.[24] He also shared a video by German right-wing influencer Naomi Seibt. In May 2024, he wrote: "I seriously expect to die this year. The reason: I will ensure justice at any cost. And the German authorities are hindering any peaceful path to justice." A few minutes before the attack, he posted more videos. In one of them, Abdulmohsen said: "The police themselves are the criminals. In this case, I hold the German nation, I hold the German citizens responsible for what is in store for me."[39][35] In another video before the attack, A. said: "Another reason why I hold German citizens responsible for the persecution I experience in Germany is the story of a USB stick stolen from my mailbox."[35][40]

According to information from several public broadcasters and private media in Germany, people have reported to the police several times because of threats of violence from A. According to public broadcaster ARD, A. was sentenced in 2013 by the Rostock District Court to 90 daily rates of ten euros each for threatening criminal offenses. The Foreign Intelligence Service of germany received a report from Saudi Arabia that A. had announced something big in Germany as early as 2023. The responsible state authorities are said to have followed up on this tip.[41] In the fall of 2023, a woman who had been in contact with A. via the Internet warned the police in Berlin that A. wanted to kill 20 Germans. However, she sent her email to the police in Berlin, New Jersey.[42]

Several Christmas markets in Germany increased security afterwards like here in Bavaria.

Aftermath

Hundreds of people created a makeshift memorial with flowers, lit candles and toys.[43]

Magdeburg police urged citizens to stay home.[44] Erfurt's Christmas market was cleared,[45] while Halle's remained open with additional security.[46] The New York City Police Department also increased security at Christmas markets in response to attack.[47] A shopkeeper, who was also a bystander, described the scenes as "reminiscent of a war".[48]

A memorial service for dead victims will take place in the city cathedral. Interior minister Nancy Faeser ordered flags lowered to half-staff at all federal buildings across the country.[49]

View from a tram station one day after the attack.

Publications such as Politico and The Wall Street Journal wrote that the attack could reinvigorate discussions of immigration in Germany ahead of the federal election in 2025.[50][51]

Responses

Domestic

Minister-President of Saxony-Anhalt Reiner Haseloff called the incident a "terrible event" and was on his way to Magdeburg.[5] He also stated that the attacker performed the attack individually.[52]

Chancellor Olaf Scholz offered his condolences[5] and was to visit Magdeburg with Federal Ministry of the Interior, Nancy Faeser.[4] President Frank-Walter Steinmeier,[53] Olaf Scholz[54] and Christian Democratic Union leader Friedrich Merz thanked rescue workers.[55] The leader of Alternative for Germany and candidate for chancellor, Alice Weidel, said that the news coming out of Magdeburg were shocking, stating: “When will this madness end?”[56]

President of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier said the attack interrupted the anticipation of a peaceful Christmas.[57]

The Deutsche Fußball Liga (DFL) called on all sides of the top two divisions of German football to wear black armbands in memory of the victims and have minutes of silence in several Bundesliga games.[18]

International

Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry condemned the attack and expressed its solidarity with the German people and its support of the victims.[58]

Condolences were expressed by the leaders of United Kingdom, France,[59] Italy,[60] Hungary,[61] Spain,[62] Poland,[63] and the Netherlands,[64] as well as by the Secretary-General of NATO, Mark Rutte.[65] European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen also sent condolences to Germany.[49][66]

In the United States, Vice president-elect JD Vance and Elon Musk accused Germany for misleading media and Musk claimed that "Only the AfD can save Germany" in a post on X.[67][68]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Ködel, Susanne; Albrecht, Fabian; Eydlin, Alexander (20 December 2024). "Auto fährt in Menschenmenge auf Magdeburger Weihnachtsmarkt" [Car drives into crowd at Magdeburg Christmas market]. Die Zeit (in German). Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  2. ^ Schuetze, Christopher (20 December 2024). "Driver Rams Christmas Market in Germany, Injuring Dozens". The New York Times. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  3. ^ "Germany's Faeser calls for 'vigilance' at Christmas markets – DW – 11/28/2024". dw.com. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Connolly, Kate (20 December 2024). "Several killed and scores injured in Germany as car ploughs into crowd at Christmas market". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d "Autofahrer steuert in Menschenmenge auf Weihnachtsmarkt" [Driver steers into crowd at Christmas market]. Süddeutsche Zeitung (in German). 20 December 2024. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  6. ^ Moody, Oliver (20 December 2024). "Germany attack: 11 including toddler feared dead as car ploughs into Christmas market". The Times. Archived from the original on 20 December 2024. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  7. ^ a b Moody, Oliver (20 December 2024). "Germany attack: 11 feared dead and 80 injured as car ploughs into Christmas market". The Times. Archived from the original on 20 December 2024. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  8. ^ "A car has driven into a group of people at a Christmas market in Germany". AP News. 20 December 2024. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  9. ^ "Dozens hurt in car 'attack' on German Christmas market". South China Morning Post. 21 December 2024. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  10. ^ Ross, Andreas (20 December 2024). "Rettungskräfte sprechen von 60 bis 80 Verletzten in Magdeburg – mindestens ein Toter". Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  11. ^ Wenzel-Warkentin, Natalia (20 December 2024). "Der MDR hat ein Video von der Verhaftung des mutmaßlichen Täters veröffentlicht". Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  12. ^ "Eyewitness describes German Christmas market attack". BBC News. 20 December 2024. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  13. ^ Pitel, Laura (20 December 2024). "Car drives into Christmas market in German city of Magdeburg". Financial Times. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  14. ^ Cleave, Iona (20 December 2024). "Magdeburg: Car drives into crowd in Germany Christmas Market 'terror attack'". The Telegraph. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  15. ^ Staszko, Katarzyna (21 December 2024). "Atak na jarmarku w Magdeburgu. W aucie nie było ładunku wybuchowego". wiadomosci.wp.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  16. ^ "A 9-year-old is among 5 killed in the Christmas market attack in Germany". Associated Press. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  17. ^ "Das jüngste Todesopfer ist erst neun Jahre alt". Blick (in German). Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  18. ^ a b "LIVE Magdeburg Christmas market attack LIVE updates as death toll rises to five including child, 9". The Mirror. 21 December 2024. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  19. ^ tagesschau.de. "Anschlag in Magdeburg: Zahl der Toten auf fünf gestiegen". tagesschau.de (in German). Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  20. ^ "Car slams into crowd at Christmas market in Germany in suspected attack; at least 2 killed, dozens injured, officials say". CBS News. 20 December 2024.
  21. ^ "German Christmas market attack toll rises to five dead, over 200 injured". The Washington Post. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  22. ^ "Suspect arrested, German broadcaster reports". BBC News. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  23. ^ a b c "Anschlag auf Weihnachtsmarkt: Arzt, Islamgegner, seit 2006 in Deutschland – Das wissen wir über den Attentäter von Magdeburg - WELT". DIE WELT (in German). Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  24. ^ a b c Bahlmann, Henrik; Höfner, Roman; Janevska, Aleksandra; Kiran, Ayla; Lehberger, Roman; Maxwill, Peter; Milatz, Marvin; Müller, Ann-Katrin; Ruhnow, Evelin (20 December 2024). "Magdeburg – News: Autofahrer fährt in Menschenmenge – Behörden gehen von Anschlag aus". Der Spiegel (in German). ISSN 2195-1349. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  25. ^ "Anschlag auf Weihnachtsmarkt Magdeburg – Auto rast in Menschenmenge, zwei Tote bestätigt". MDR.DE (in German). Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  26. ^ "MDR LIVE zum Anschlag auf dem Magdeburger Weihnachtsmarkt". MDR.DE (in German). Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  27. ^ Brüggemann, Thore; Heise, Thomas; Khan, Miriam; Kistler, Florian; Lehberger, Roman; Petter, Jan; Pütz, Florian; Röbel, Sven; Schmitt, Alexander (21 December 2024). "Magdeburg – News: Saudi-Arabien soll deutsche Sicherheitsbehörden dreimal vor Taleb A. gewarnt haben". Der Spiegel (in German). ISSN 2195-1349. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  28. ^ "Ex-Muslim, doctor, pro-far right: Many shades of man behind Germany market attack". India Today. 21 December 2024. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  29. ^ ""Das Asylsystem ist ein Weg in die Freiheit"". www.fr.de (in German). 13 March 2019. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  30. ^ a b "Fluchthelfer gegen Saudi-Arabien: Sie verfolgen jede einzelne Frau". FAZ.NET (in German). 14 June 2019. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  31. ^ Röhlig, Marc; Rothe, Yannick von Eisenhart (13 February 2019). "Saudi-Arabien: Männer überwachen Frauen mit "App – die diese nun nutzen, um zu fliehen". Der Spiegel (in German). ISSN 2195-1349. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  32. ^ "How one website helps hundreds seek asylum". Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  33. ^ "Report: German Xmas market attacker is Saudi anti-Islamist who shared pro-Israel content | The Times of Israel". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  34. ^ "Parts of Syria were lucky enough to join Israel" (in Arabic).
  35. ^ a b c d e "Profile of Taleb Al Abdulmohsen on X.com".
  36. ^ a b c RAIR Foundation (15 December 2024). "Update: Interview With Saudi Psychiatrist Suspected of Driving Into German Christmas Market (Video)". rairfoundation.com. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  37. ^ "Saudischer Islamkritiker, Fan von AfD und Elon Musk: Verstörende Details zum Täter von Magdeburg". Der Tagesspiegel Online (in German). ISSN 1865-2263. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  38. ^ "+++ 01:35 Veranstalter reagieren: Weihnachtsmärkte in Sachsen-Anhalt schließen frühzeitig +++". n-tv.de (in German). Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  39. ^ Decker, Jan Sternberg, Felix Huesmann, Markus (21 December 2024). "Magdeburg nach Todesfahrt: Verdächtiger offenbar Islamfeind – Rätsel um Motiv". www.rnd.de (in German). Retrieved 21 December 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  40. ^ "Anschlag in Magdeburg: „Keine konkrete Gefahr" – BKA und LKA erstellten 2023 Gefährdungsbeurteilung von Tatverdächtigem - WELT". DIE WELT (in German). Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  41. ^ WDR/NDR, Manuel Bewarder, Florian Flade, Martin Kaul, Amir Mussawy, Sebastian Pittelkow und Katja Riedel. "Das wissen wir über den Tatverdächtigen von Magdeburg". tagesschau.de (in German). Retrieved 21 December 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  42. ^ "Tat eines Ex-Muslims mit AfD-Nähe - Fünf Fragen, die sich Deutschland nach der Todesfahrt beantworten muss". www.msn.com. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  43. ^ "LIVE Magdeburg Christmas market attack LIVE updates as death toll rises to five including child, 9". The Mirror. 21 December 2024. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  44. ^ Kohler, Sarah (20 December 2024). "Polizei: Menschen in Magdeburg sollen daheim bleiben". Die Zeit. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  45. ^ Kohler, Sarah (20 December 2024). "Weihnachtsmarkt in Erfurt geräumt". Die Zeit. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
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  47. ^ Planas, Antonio (20 December 2024). "Dozens feared injured after vehicle plows into crowd at Christmas market in Germany". NBC News. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  48. ^ Connolly, Kate (20 December 2024). "Two killed and scores injured in Germany as car ploughs into crowd at Christmas market". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  49. ^ a b "Car slams into crowd at Christmas market in Germany; at least 5 killed, 200 injured, officials say". CBS News. 21 December 2024.
  50. ^ "Deadly Magdeburg Christmas market attack shakes Germany as election looms". Politico. 20 December 2024. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  51. ^ Benoit, Bertrand (20 December 2024). "Car Crashes Into German Christmas Market, Leaving at Least Two Dead, Over 60 Wounded". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  52. ^ Spivey, Matt (20 December 2024). "Sixty to eighty people injured, reports say". BBC News. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  53. ^ Eydlin, Alexander (20 December 2024). "Steinmeier dankt Rettungskräften" [Steinmeier thanks rescue]. Die Zeit (in German). Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  54. ^ "Tragiczny wieczór w Niemczech. Politycy reagują na zamach w Magdeburgu". Onet Wiadomości (in Polish). 20 December 2024. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  55. ^ Kohler, Sarah (20 December 2024). "Merz: "Sehr bedrückende Nachrichten"" [Merz: "Very depressing news"]. Die Zeit (in German). Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  56. ^ "At least 2 dead and 60 injured after car ploughs into German Christmas market". Financial Times. 22 December 2024.
  57. ^ "At least 2 dead and 60 hurt after a car drives into a German Christmas market in a suspected attack". Associated Press. 21 December 2024.
  58. ^ Hammond, Aditi Sangal, Elise (20 December 2024). "December 20, 2024, At least 2 dead and dozens injured in attack on German Christmas market, authorities say". CNN. Retrieved 21 December 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  59. ^ "Allemagne : une voiture fonce sur un marché de Noël, au moins deux morts et des dizaines de blessés". France 24 (in French). 20 December 2024. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  60. ^ "President Meloni's statement on Magdeburg Christmas market attack". www.governo.it (in Italian). 20 December 2024. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  61. ^ "Dramatyczne wieści z Niemiec po zamachu. "Kiedy to szaleństwo się skończy?"". Wprost (in Polish). 20 December 2024. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  62. ^ "Sánchez traslada a Scholz su solidaridad por el atropello en un mercado de Navidad alemán". La Vanguardia (in Spanish). 20 December 2024. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  63. ^ "Zamach w Magdeburgu. Prezydent Andrzej Duda zabrał głos". wiadomosci.wp.pl (in Polish). 20 December 2024. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  64. ^ "Dutch leaders respond to Magdeburg Christmas market attack". NL Times. 21 December 2024.
  65. ^ "European leaders offer condolences after deadly car attack in Germany". aa.com. 21 December 2024.
  66. ^ "'Insane' Magdeburg Christmas market attack turns heat on Germany's politicians". POLITICO.eu. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  67. ^ ""Who Was Driving?" JD Vance, Musk Slam 'Misleading' Headlines On Germany Attack Involving Saudi Man". NDTV. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  68. ^ "Elon Musk slams Germany for not extraditing 'attacker': Deserves to be punished". India Today. 21 December 2024. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
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