Grief and horror: Christmas markets in northern Germany intensify security

Grief and horror: Christmas markets in northern Germany intensify security

Magdeburg, Deutschland - On December 20, 2024, there was a devastating attack on the Christmas market in Magdeburg. A 50-year-old man raced into the pedestrian group with a rental car and caused the tragic event, in which at least five people, including a nine-year-old boy from Lower Saxony, died. More than 200 people were injured, many of them seriously. The alleged perpetrator, a doctor with origin from Saudi Arabia, was still arrested at the scene and is now in custody because of five murder and several attempted murder, like ndr reported. The investigation showed that he had previously been convicted of the threat of crimes.

reactions and security measures

In response to this attack, Christmas markets all over the northern Germany, such as in Rostock, Greifswald and Kiel, held a minute's silence. Interior Minister Daniela Behrens announced that the security measures on the Christmas markets in Lower Saxony should be significantly increased. This includes increased police presence and checked security measures such as sandbags as barriers to offer visitors the greatest possible protection. Prime Minister Stephan Weil said that "100 % protection" did not give and emphasized the importance of not being able to miss the joy of life through such violent acts. The Christmas markets in Schleswig-Holstein have also adapted their security concepts, despite the fact that there are no specific indications of further attacks in the north, as wikipedia reported.

The strict security measures are a direct consequence of previous terrorist attacks on Christmas markets, such as the tragic incident at Breitscheidplatz in Berlin in 2016, which had led to the introduction of a large number of security measures. Observers and visitors are concerned because this event not only represents a tragedy, but could also have a lasting impact on the feeling of security on Christmas markets. The tragic incident in Magdeburg once again shows the fragile boundaries between festive traditions and the need to take protective measures for the safety of people.