Grief in Magdeburg: Memorial ceremony after a fatal Christmas market attack

Grief in Magdeburg: Memorial ceremony after a fatal Christmas market attack

in a city that is shaken by grief and horror, people gather in Magdeburg to commemorate the victims of a terrible attack. A doctor raced into a crowded Christmas market on Friday evening and left a trace of terror: five people, including a nine -year -old child, lost their lives while 200 more were injured. The city with its 240,000 inhabitants, about 130 kilometers west of Berlin, is in shock.

at 7:04 p.m., the time of the attack, the church bells heralded in Magdeburg. A moving sign of commemoration that reflects the grief of people. A memorial service took place in the cathedral, to which, in addition to the relatives of the victims, emergency helpers and invited guests, including the German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, were invited. For those who could not participate, the ceremony was broadcast on a large screen in front of the church.

an attack that shook the nation

The terrible events occurred as the 50-year-old suspect, an immigrant of Saudi Arabia, drove his vehicle into the crowd. The authorities report that he described himself as Islam -critical activists and faced the crime scene of the police. He is now being examined for five times murder and 205 times attempted murder. The investigators check whether the attack was motivated in Germany to attack Saudi Arabic refugees in Germany.

The reactions to the incident were immediately noticeable. In many other cities in Germany, Christmas markets from precautionary measures and solidarity were canceled with Magdeburg. In Berlin, on the other hand, the markets remained open, but with an increased police presence to ensure security.

a suspect with a dark past

The suspect, whose name was not published by the police, was identified by several German news agencies as Taleb A. He was reportedly a specialist in psychiatry and psychotherapy. His activities in social media throw a disturbing light on his views, which showed support for anti-Islamic and right-wing extremist parties, including the alternative for Germany. A Saudi informant reported that Saudi Arabia had already informed the German authorities about the extremist views of the suspect.

A risk assessment of the German security authorities came to the conclusion last year that the man was "no specific danger". This misjudgment raises questions, especially given the fact that Germany has experienced several violent attacks in recent years, including a knife attack in which three people died.

The attack in Magdeburg painfully reminds of the devastating attack on the Christmas market in Berlin eight years ago, in which 13 people died. The wounds of the past are still fresh, and the nation is again faced with the challenge of dealing with grief and horror.