Home Europe India Condemns Magdeburg Attack In Which Its Nationals Are Also Injured

India Condemns Magdeburg Attack In Which Its Nationals Are Also Injured

Members of police work at a Christmas market after a car drove into a group of people, in Germany
Members of police work at a Christmas market after a car drove into a group of people, according to local media, in Magdeburg, Germany, December 20, 2024. REUTERS/Axel Schmidt

India has condemned the Germany Christmas market attack in which seven Indian nationals are also among over 200 injured.

Five shoppers died and over 200 were injured after a Saudi man rammed his car into a bustling Christmas market in Magdeburg, on Friday.

The toll in the Christmas market attack, has risen from two to five.

Magdeburg is the state capital of Saxony-Anhalt and has about 2,40,000 residents.

The Foreign Ministry of India, has condemned the horrific and senseless attack at the Christmas market.

India said that its mission is in touch with the injured Indians as well as their families and is providing all possible assistance.

“Several precious lives have been lost, and many have been injured. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims,” the Ministry of External Affairs stated.

Magdeburg City Councillor for public order, Ronni Krug, announced the closure of the Christmas market saying, “Christmas in Magdeburg is over.”

The interior ministry also announced on Saturday that official buildings in Saxony-Anhalt, the German state with Magdeburg as its capital, will fly flags at half-mast to honour the victims of the attack.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, on Saturday visited the Christmas market in Germany’s Magdeburg to take stock of the situation.

He said, “Almost 40 are so seriously injured that we must be very worried about them.”

He pledged that Germany would respond “with the full force of the law” to the attack.

At the same time, Scholz called for unity in the country that has been plunged into a heated debate on immigration and security ahead of elections in February.

He said it was important “that we stick together, that we link arms, that it is not hatred that determines our coexistence but the fact that we are a community that seeks a common future.”

While thanking world leaders for expressing solidarity, Scholz said,“It is very positive to hear that Germany is not alone.”

Apart from India, many countries including Egypt, France, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine and the United States have condemned the incident.

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Egypt has affirmed its solidarity with Germany.

Cairo also extended its sincere condolences to the government and people of Germany, wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.

French President Emmanuel Macron said, “I’m deeply shocked by the horrors visited upon the Christmas market in Magdeburg in Germany.”

President Macron said that France shares the pain of the German people and expresses deep solidarity with them.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, “We stand with the people of Magdeburg and all Germans on this dark day. Stay strong, dear German friends,”

President Joe Biden issued condolences on Saturday.

“No community—and no family—should have to endure such a despicable and dark event, especially just days before a holiday of joy and peace,” Biden said.

German authorities are looking into the motive of a Saudi suspect.

The suspect, a 50 year-old Saudi doctor identified as Tabel A, has a history of anti-Islam rhetoric, officials said on Saturday.

The accused who has lived in Germany for almost two decades was arrested at the scene.

Police searched his home overnight but the motive remained unclear.

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said the suspect’s Islamophobia was clear to see, but she declined to comment on motive.

Taleb A. appeared in several media interviews in 2019, including German newspaper FAZ and the BBC.

In these interviews, he spoke of his work as an activist helping Saudi Arabians and ex-Muslims flee to Europe.

Eight years ago, Anis Amri, a failed Tunisian asylum seeker with Islamist links, drove his truck into a crowded Christmas market in Berlin, killing 12 people and injuring dozens others.

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Delhi based journalist pickled in journalism. Have reported from nine world capitals and almost all parts of India. Over the last three decades, I have worked for India’s mainstream English dailies and contributed to All India Radio, Doordarshan and Women’s Feature Service. Also worked for international media including Japan’s leading newspaper, The Asahi Shimbun and done assignments for The Sunday Times, London, The Telegraph, The Guardian and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Worked in the Embassy of France in New Delhi and can speak French to save my life. Write on Diplomacy, Politics and the social sector. Love Nature, heritage, Nature, animals and vintage cars. Enjoy cycling and playing badminton.