A memorial service was held on Saturday evening in the German city of Magdeburg to honor the victims of a tragic attack at a Christmas market on Friday night, where a car rammed into a crowd, killing at least five people and injuring approximately 200 others.
The service took place at the city’s historic cathedral and was attended by victims’ relatives, emergency responders, and invited guests, including Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Outside the cathedral, mourners gathered to lay flowers and light candles in remembrance of those lost.
At precisely 7:04 p.m., church bells tolled across Magdeburg—the exact time the attack occurred a day earlier—echoing through the streets in a poignant tribute to the victims.
Victims Include 9-Year-Old Child
Horst Walter Nopens, head of the local public prosecutor’s office, confirmed that a nine-year-old child was among the deceased but did not disclose further details about the four adult victims. He stated that many of the injured sustained serious wounds, and authorities have warned that the death toll could rise.
Reports indicate that the attack lasted approximately three minutes. Concerns have been raised regarding security measures after it was revealed that the emergency route used by the perpetrator was not secured with barriers.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned the incident, describing it as “a terrible tragedy to harm and kill so many people with such brutality.” He called for social cohesion and vowed that Germany would respond to the attack “with the full force of the law.”
Reference(s):
Memorial service held for victims of car attack at German market
cgtn.com