Several people were killed in a terrorist attack in Magdeburg on Friday evening. It is believed that 60 to 80 others were injured. “The reports from Magdeburg are shocking,” said Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP). Naturally, the current situation would now also be assessed in this country.
Security measures for Christmas markets across Austria were increased several weeks ago, Karner said. Both armed special forces and civilian investigators are in action. “The Office for the Protection of the Constitution is in close contact with numerous European security authorities to continuously assess the situation,” the Interior Minister said. This includes Islamist extremism and terrorism.
According to a press release from the federal ministry, the focus of the police is on thefts and the prevention of “extremist threats”. The “heightened threat situation” has been in effect since October 2023 – also in many other European countries.
As reported, shortly after 7pm on Friday evening, a dark BMW rammed into a crowd of people at the Christmas market in central Magdeburg – according to police, he drove “at least 400 metres” between the Christmas stalls. Dozens of injuries were reported, but late Friday evening Saxony-Anhalt Prime Minister Reiner Erich Haseloff could confirm only two deaths, including a small child.
The suspected perpetrator, a man from Saudi Arabia aged around 50, was arrested after the attack. After the crime, a large contingent of emergency services gathered at the scene of the incident; some of the care for the many wounded was carried out in specially set up tents.
Here you can view Alexander Van der Bellen’s contribution.
This is how Austrian politicians responded
Many Austrian politicians were still bothered by it on Friday evening. “It is terrible news from Magdeburg,” wrote Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen. His thoughts are “with the victims, their families and everyone affected by this terrible attack.”
The news would “stunn you,” said Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP), who also mentioned the rescuers. Green Party leader Werner Kogler tweeted about “solidarity with the victims, relatives and all who offer help in these difficult hours.” SPÖ leader Andreas Babler also wished him good luck.
FPÖ: “Images repeat themselves”
This is how FPÖ Secretary General Michael Schnedlitz responded on Friday evening. “It’s just sad to see the horrible pictures. The big problem: these images repeat themselves over and over again. Europe has been held hostage by Islamist terror since 2015 at the latest.”
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
