Brussels - Berlin: Europe and the Arabs
It was decided to tighten security measures both within the various German states and outside the country, including the neighboring country Belgium, after a car hit visitors to the Christmas market in the German city of Magdeburg on Friday evening. According to several German sources, 205 people were injured and five died.
The media in Brussels said that after the deadly attack on the Christmas market in Magdeburg, security measures were tightened in the markets in the state of Saxony. According to the authorities, the markets in Leipzig, Dresden, Chemnitz and Plauen are reviewing their security concept and increasing the presence of police patrols.
In the capital Dresden, the city's mayor Dirk Hilbert announced this morning that the Strzelmarkt and the Christmas market in Neumarkt in particular have been equipped with barriers to prevent access. In Chemnitz and Plauen, the number of police patrols is being increased and the situation is being closely monitored. Olaf Scholz in Magdeburg: 'What a terrible tragedy'
“A Christmas market is usually a very peaceful and cheerful place,” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told reporters in Magdeburg on Saturday. “What a terrible tragedy that so many people were injured and killed with such violence in such a place,” he said.
Scholz said Germany would provide support to those affected by the attack, including those who helped the victims. He also said it was very moving to talk to the first responders.
“What a terrible tragedy that so many people were injured and killed with such violence in such a place,” he said.
Olaf Scholz
Regarding the suspect in the attack, who was arrested last night after the incident, Scholz said it was important “that we investigate in detail and with great precision what happened.” He added that the authorities would investigate the perpetrator “comprehensively.” The chancellor said it was important that “we stand together.” “We must not allow those who want to spread hatred to do that,” Scholz said.
He added that there were concerns about the health of those seriously injured. He also expressed his condolences to the families of the dead. "I would like to express the solidarity of the entire country."
Death toll rises to five
The Prime Minister of Saxony-Anhalt, Rainer Haseloff, announced that the death toll after the attack on the Christmas market in the city of Magdeburg had risen to five. He added that more than 200 people were injured, many of them seriously.
The suspect in the Christmas market attack sent a bad message to the world: "Is there a way to achieve justice without slaughtering civilians?"
The suspect had shared messages on social media a few months ago in which he spoke, among other things, of the "indiscriminate slaughter of German citizens" as a "path" to justice.

The attack on the Magdeburg Christmas market also made a serious impression on the organizers of Belgian Christmas markets. Police have stepped up surveillance of the Antwerp Christmas market after the attack in Magdeburg
The police have increased surveillance, both visible and invisible, in the city center of Antwerp after the attack on the Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, on Friday evening.
As is the case every year during this period, a large police presence has already been planned for the winter event in Antwerp. Various teams are visibly monitoring the places where the events take place every day.
The security measures have now been stepped up following the deadly attack in Germany. There is increased vigilance, both visible and invisible. Some teams that were already on standby behind the scenes, such as the motorcycle arrest unit, will now be more visible on the streets, in addition to the already planned intensive police presence.
These measures are also being evaluated based on an analysis Threats from the Brussels Threat Analysis Centre OCAD. Since the attack in Brussels last year, in which two Swedish football fans were killed, the overall threat level has been three in the entire country. At the moment, there is no reason to increase this threat level. If that happens, the Antwerp police will also take further measures.