Magdeburg: Tribute to nine-year-old boy killed in Christmas market attack

The car entered the crowded market through the emergency lane at around 19:00 local time (18:00 GMT) on Friday, police said.

Witnesses described jumping out of the way of the car and running or hiding. In unconfirmed footage circulating on social media, a car is seen speeding through the pedestrian walkway between the stalls.

Police said the driver then returned to the road and was forced into traffic, where he was arrested.

According to the city officials, about 100 policemen, medical workers and firefighters were involved in the incident.

A 50-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of five murders, multiple attempted murders and causing grievous bodily harm, police said.

Local media reports that the suspect is Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, a psychiatrist of Saudi origin who came to Germany in 2006.

The motive for the attack is still unclear, but authorities believe the driver acted alone.

German authorities have faced questions about the security after being warned last year that the suspect could pose a threat.

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry said it had warned the German government about al-Abdulmohsen’s extremist views, but had received no response.