Commemoration of victims in Magdeburg
Federal Chancellor Scholz and Federal President Steinmeier visit the city after the fatal car attack. Investigators believe the perpetrator was acting alone.
Magdeburg (dpa) – Following the fatal vehicle attack at the Christmas market in Magdeburg, a memorial service was held in Magdeburg Cathedral to mourn the victims. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier was among the many who attended.
During a visit to the site, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke of a “terrible, insane act”, saying that there was no more peaceful and cheerful place than a Christmas market. The Federal Chancellor stressed the importance of conducting a thorough and precise investigation. “No stone must be left unturned – we will ensure all the facts are brought to light.”
The suspect drove his car at high speed into a crowd of people on Friday evening. According to the authorities, four adults and a nine-year-old child were killed. Since the more than 200 injured include some who remain in a critical condition, the death toll could still rise.
Investigators currently believe that the act was the work of a single perpetrator. In social media posts and interviews, he recently levelled accusations against German authorities – some of them incoherently worded – claiming they weren’t doing enough to fight Islamist extremism
The head of the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), Holger Münch, said that the suspect had an Islamophobic mindset and had engaged with right-wing extremist platforms. Münch added that it was not yet possible to say conclusively that the offence was politically motivated, however.