A Christmas market in Magdeburg, Eastern Germany, descended into chaos on Friday when a car was driven into a crowd in what authorities suspect to be a terrorist attack.

Local rescue services reported that between 60 and 80 individuals were injured, with several in critical condition. According to multiple reports, including German public broadcaster MDR, at least two people have been killed, one of whom is believed to be a child.

Just days ago, German police were “securing” Christmas markets by harassing old German ladies to confiscate their Swiss Army knives that they carried for self defense. Their priorities are completely insane. pic.twitter.com/Vp6mMivvU7

— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) December 20, 2024

The Associated Press stated that Tamara Zieschang, Saxony-Anhalt’s interior minister, identified the suspect as a 50-year-old Saudi doctor who first arrived in Germany in 2006. German tabloid BILD reported that the driver allegedly plowed through approximately 400 meters of the market, though police have not confirmed this detail.

Magdeburg police confirmed via X (formerly Twitter): “Extensive police operations are currently taking place at the Magdeburg Christmas market. The Christmas market in the city center is closed. Further reports will be made.”

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz shared his thoughts on the incident, writing in German on X, “The reports from Magdeburg suggest something bad is about to happen. My thoughts are with the victims and their families. We stand by their side and by the side of the people of Magdeburg. My thanks go to the dedicated rescue workers in these anxious hours.”

A speeding car plowed through a crowd of people at a busy Christmas market in the eastern German city of Magdeburg. It is not known how many are injured or possibly dead.

In 2016, Germany suffered its worst Islamic terror attack when a Muslim asylum seeker ran down people at a… pic.twitter.com/mSlrwIHCm4

— Andy Ngo 🏳️‍🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) December 20, 2024

Nancy Faeser, Germany’s interior minister, had assured the public last month that while there were no immediate threats to Christmas markets, attendees should remain vigilant, according to The Independent.

The tragedy echoes similar attacks in Germany’s past, such as the 2016 Berlin Christmas market attack, where a truck was driven into the crowd, killing 12 people and injuring around 50 others. At the time, U.S. officials described the Berlin incident as a terrorist attack.