Two vehicles have reportedly crashed into crowd at Magdeburg Christmas market (Image: X)
Between 60 and 80 people have been injured and one person is said to have been killed at Magdeburg Christmas market in after a car ploughed into pedestrians, according to local media reports.
The German newspaper BILD reports that likely 60 to 80 people have been injured in the crash. It also reports that police have arrested the driver and are said to be “looking for explosives”.
Videos circulated on social media appeared to show several victims badly wounded on the ground. Police were seen rushing to the scene.
There is no immediate information on casualties or whether anyone has been killed in the incident.
Magdeburg, which is west of Berlin, is the state capital of Saxony-Anhalt and has about 240,000 inhabitants.
Follow all the latest updates on the Magdeburg Christmas market incident on our live blog below.
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Disturbing CCTV shows car speeding through crowd
Disturbing CCTV footage shared online shows the car driving at speed through the crowd.
People are then seen running from the scene.
Perpetrator drove into ‘fairy tale area’ where many families were
The Mitteldeutsche Zeitung spoke to anonymous eyewitnesses.
A woman said that the perpetrator “drove into the fairy tale area of the Magdeburg Christmas market”.
There were a lot of families in the area.
She said she was just able to jump out of the way with her child.
At least one person killed, according to German media
At least one person has died in the apparent attack at Magdeburg Christmas market, according to the area’s state broadcaster.
However, this information has not yet been verified.
Restaurateur speaks of war-like conditions
A restauranter who runs two stands at the Magdeburg Christmas market reports that the perpetrator drove right past his burger stand and completely cleared the counter, according to mz.de.
Many people jumped to the side at the last second, but not all of them managed to do so.
Emergency services: 60 to 80 injured
According to BILD, the emergency services in Magdeburg have reported that between 60 and 80 people were injured in the attack.
‘A terrible event’ says Prime Minister
Regional government spokesperson Matthias Schuppe and city spokesperson Michael Reif said they suspected it was an attack.
“This is a terrible event, especially now in the days before Christmas,” Reiner Haseloff, Saxony-Anhalt’s prime minister, said.
He added that he was on the way to see the scene himself.
People should leave Christmas market
The Magdeburg Christmas market is warning people on to leave the area: “Due to current events, we would like to point out that you should avoid the Christmas market.
“Please let the emergency services do their job and leave the market in an orderly manner!”
Other markets in Saxony-Anhalt react
The city of Halle reacted immediately to the incident in Magdeburg and increased security measures for its own Christmas market.
The city’s hospitals are preparing for possible injuries, said Tobias Teschner, head of the security department of the city of Halle.
Other markets in Saxony-Anhalt react. (Image: Getty)
Police search for explosives
According to BILD, the police are searching the cordoned-off area of the Christmas market for explosives.
Prime Minister Haseloff on the way
The Prime Minister of Saxony-Anhalt, Reiner Erich Haseloff (CDU), is on his way to the scene of the accident.
Incident latest in a series of Christmas market incidents this year
Already this year, a series of security incidents at Christmas markets have raised concern.
In November, a 17-year-old German-Turkish national was apprehended in the northern town of Elmshorn, Schleswig-Holstein, for planning a truck attack inspired by the 2016 Berlin market tragedy.
On December 1 in Schöneck, Saxony, the mayor and another individual were shot at with a Softair pistol.
Three days later, a 37-year-old Iraqi national was arrested in Augsburg, Bavaria, for allegedly scouting the Christkindlesmarkt, and sharing Islamic State propaganda.
Scenes reminiscent on the December 19 2026 attack
On Dec. 19, 2016 in Berlin, an Islamic extremist attacker plowed through a crowd of Christmas market-goers with a truck, leaving 13 people dead and injuring dozens more. The attacker was killed days later in a shootout in Italy.
German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser had said late last month that there were no concrete indications of a danger to Christmas markets this year, but that it was wise to be vigilant.
Police attend scene after crash at Christmas market
A video on social media by user @muirytAtyrium shows police on scene at the Magdeburg Christmas market.
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Probably more than 20 injured
According to BILD, more than 20 people have been injured in the attack.
According to initial reports, the vehicle broke through barriers and ran over several people.
The Christmas market is closed
The Christmas market has been closed, with the organisers calling on people to leave the city centre.
Organisers are telling people to leave the city centre. (Image: Getty)
Driver has been arrested
The driver of the car was arrested, the agency said, citing unidentified government officials in the state of Saxony-Anhalt.
There was no immediate information on whether people were killed or injured.
Where is Magdeburg?
The city of Magdeburg lies west of Berlin.
It is the state capital of Saxony-Anhalt and has about 24,000 inhabitants.
Videos on social media show scenes of chaos
Videos on X show scenes of chaos in Magdeburg, with many police and fire vehicles on scene.
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Vehicle drove through market and ran over visitors
According to various people, a vehicle drove through the Christmas market despite security measures and ran over several visitors.
We are Magdeburg writes that according to initial reports, “a vehicle drove past the Flair at the level of the former McDonald’s and turned towards the market square. Several people were run over and injured.”
Large police operation present
Videos on social media show people on the ground and a large police operation near the Christmas market.
Witnesses speak of “scenes of panic”.
According to We are Magdeburg, “Magdeburg firefighters, police and rescue workers are currently on their way to the Christmas market”.
Car crashes into Magdeburg Christmas market
A car is said to have crashed into the Christmas market in Magdeburg.
According to people on social media, several people are said to have been injured.