Safety debate according to tragedy: Was the Christmas market unprotected?

Safety debate according to tragedy: Was the Christmas market unprotected?

In Magdeburg, a terrifying incident overshadows the Christmas market: A perpetrator from Saudi Arabia raced into the crowd by car and demanded five fatalities, including a nine-year-old child, and seriously injured over 200 people. The attack happened last Friday, in which the suspect used an escape and rescue alley to get to the Christmas market unhindered. As the deputy for personnel, citizen service and order of the city, Ronni Krug, confirmed, there were no obstacles at this point, which makes the safety precautions appear in a new light, as reported.

The public prosecutor in Magdeburg has charged the suspect, which is currently in custody, because of five times murder and 205 times attempted murder. He considers Germany to deal with Saudi Arabian refugees as a possible motive for his deed, whereby the investigation is still at the very beginning. The Interior Minister of Saxony-Anhalt announced extensive exams of the security concept for the Christmas market, which may have significant gaps. Critical questions about security became loud, in particular the fact that there was not a sufficient obstacle in the rescue alley to prevent the car from penetrating, such as vienna.at reported.

authorities under pressure

The debate about possible failures of the authorities has already started. Chancellor Olaf Scholz expects a comprehensive review of the incidents and possible errors in dealing with information on the perpetrator in the past. The reduction of the Christmas market has already started and the place is no longer considered suitable for future events in order to pay respect for the losses suffered. The political reactions are strong: Friedrich Merz, the Chancellor candidate of the CDU/CSU, demands a harder gait against perpetrators with a migration background, which further heats up the social discussion about migration and security.