Summary
A Saudi doctor intentionally drove into a crowded Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, killing five people, including a child, and injuring over 200.
The 50-year-old suspect, who had lived in Germany for nearly two decades, expressed anti-Islam views and supported far-right politics. Authorities believe he acted alone.
The attack shocked Germany, prompting other towns to cancel Christmas markets and increasing security measures nationwide.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz mourned the victims, and a memorial service is planned. Saudi Arabia condemned the attack, calling it a tragedy.
Unfortunately, things like this will continue to happen. Events like Pride here have been proactive whenever there’s street events, and they have deployed crash barriers that people can walk between quite easily, but will immediately stop vehicles. They kinda look like portable construction equipment, but they have little wheels on them so they can be wheeled around, and have teeth that bite into the concrete when a car crashes into it. It will stop or potentially flip the car, depending on the speed.
Seeing deterrent measurements is disheartening, but it also makes it much more reassuring to see police and crash barriers protecting large (300k+) events like parades and street festivals. I hope Germany and other countries start to deploy barriers like this for big events.