A driver plowed a car into a crowd at a Christmas market on Friday evening in Magdeburg, Germany, killing at least two people, an adult and a child, and injuring nearly 70 others.

The suspected driver, a 50-year-old man from Saudi Arabia, was arrested at the scene. Authorities reported that he had moved to Germany in 2006 and was working as a doctor.

Local officials stated that this attack appears to have been deliberate. Reports indicate that as many as 15 individuals suffered serious injuries among the 68 reported injuries in total.

A city spokesman revealed that hospitals in the nearby city of Halle were preparing for a potential mass casualty situation due to the high number of injured individuals. Following the incident, the area was barricaded out of caution as police suspected the presence of explosives in the suspect’s vehicle.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed his condolences, stating, ‘My thoughts are with the victims and their relatives. We stand beside them and beside the people of Magdeburg.’

The incident transpired around 7 p.m. in front of the Magdeburg Christmas market, a significant event that attracts numerous visitors each holiday season. These markets are integral to German culture, celebrating traditions that date back hundreds of years.

Reiner Haseloff, governor of Saxony-Anhalt, emphasized that there’s no immediate threat to the public, asserting, ‘As things stand, he is a lone perpetrator.’ He also expressed his sorrow, noting, ‘Every human life that has fallen victim to this attack is a terrible tragedy and one human life too many.’

The aftermath of the attack left many in shock, with local officials announcing cultural institutions, such as theaters and museums, would remain closed in the days following the incident. Mayor Simone Borris declared the city to be in mourning.

Residents recounted the terrifying moments as the car barreled into the crowd. One eyewitness shared, ‘It was terrible. Nobody screamed. You couldn’t hear the car either.’ The chaos left many with uncertainty as friends and family members were unaccounted for.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident, with city officials holding a memorial service planned for the weekend to honor the victims of this tragic event.

If you are seeking further information regarding this incident, please follow updates from the local news organizations covering the event.