India has strongly condemned the deadly attack at a Christmas market in Germany's Magdeburg, which claimed five lives, including that of a 9-year-old child, and injured over 200 people.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed solidarity with the victims, stating, “We condemn the horrific and senseless attack at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany. Several precious lives have been lost, and many have been injured. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims. Our Mission is in contact with Indians who are injured, as well as their families, and rendering all possible assistance.”
According to sources, seven Indian nationals are among the injured and three have been discharged from the hospital.
Germany Christmas Market Attack
The attack, which occurred on Friday evening, involved a car-ramming incident that left the bustling Christmas market in shock. German authorities identified a 50-year-old Saudi doctor, Taleb A., as the suspected driver. He was arrested at the scene, and police conducted a search of his residence overnight.
According to a Reuters report, Taleb A. has lived in Germany for nearly two decades and worked as a psychiatrist in a rehabilitation clinic for criminals with addictions. The clinic confirmed his employment but noted that he had been on sick and holiday leave since October.
The motive for the attack remains unclear, although German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser stated that the suspect’s "Islamophobia" was evident. Posts on his verified X account showed support for far-right parties, including the Alternative for Germany (AfD), and contained anti-Islam rhetoric.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, speaking in Magdeburg, expressed grief over the tragic event. “What a terrible act it is to injure and kill so many people there with such brutality,” he said while laying a white rose in honour of the victims, as quoted by Reuters. Scholz revealed that over 200 people had been injured in the attack, with nearly 40 in critical condition.
A Saudi source told Reuters that Saudi Arabia had repeatedly warned German authorities about Taleb A.’s extremist views, which were shared on his X account. However, a risk assessment conducted by German state and federal investigators last year concluded that he posed “no specific danger,” according to the Welt newspaper.