German Chancellor Olaf Sholts said that as a result of a car hit at visitors to the Christmas Fair in Magdeburg (Federal Land Saxony-Anhalt), 5 people were killed.
Scholz visited the place of the tragedy, where he met with the victims, talked with the residents and received information from the responsible persons.
At the church located near the fair, the Chancellor laid a white rose. He was accompanied by the Prime Minister of Saxony-Anchalt Rainer Khazeloff, Minister of Internal Affairs Nancy Fezer, Minister of Transport Folker Vissing, Minister of Ecology Steffi Lemake, head of the Christian Democratic Union (HDS) Friedrich Merts and other officials.
Speaking at the scene, Scholz called what happened to a “terrible act” that carried away the lives of people. According to him, the death of 5 people confirmed, more than 200 were injured.
The Chancellor expressed a special concern to the state of 40 seriously wounded, calling the incident in Magdeburg a “terrible and tragic event.”
“As a chancellor, I want to assure you in the solidarity of the whole country and all who are responsible in Germany,” said Scholz.
Scholz emphasized the need for a complete and thorough investigation of the incident.
“Nothing should remain unclear,” he said, adding that after the establishment of all circumstances, both legal and other measures should be taken.
Chancellor noted that at such moments it is important to show unity and not allow the attackers to remain unpunished.
“We will act with the complete severity of the law,” Scholts emphasized.
He also promised assistance to the victims and expressed gratitude for the support that many countries expressed by Germany.
According to the German press, the detainee of the suspect revealed a positive result on drugs.
Local media reports that a suspect, a 50-year-old man, has been living in Germany since 2006, has an unlimited residence permit and works as a doctor in the city of Bernburg. His social networks previously published records with an expression of fears about the “growth of Islam in Germany.”
According to the press, the suspect drove a BMW car about 400 meters through the crowd at the fair.
After the incident, the Christmas fair was closed, and residents are recommended to leave the city center.
The incident occurred at the fair near the town hall of Magdeburg, near the Elba River.