Around 200 people, including seven Indians, were injured in an attack on a Christmas market in Germany

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, center, walks through a Christmas market where a car drives into a crowd on Friday evening, Dec. 21, 2024, in Magdeburg, Germany. Photo credit: AP

Seven Indians were injured in a deadly car ramming attack in the East German city of Magdeburg and the Indian Embassy in Berlin has extended all possible assistance to them, official sources said on Saturday (December 21, 2024) night.

A 50-year-old man drove a car into a crowd at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt, on Friday evening, killing at least five people, including a nine-year-old boy, and injuring around 200, German authorities said. .

Three of the seven injured Indians have been discharged from hospital, according to Indian government sources.

Condemning the “horrific and senseless” attack, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the Indian mission in Germany is in touch with the injured Indians. However, the number of injured Indians was not disclosed.

In a post on X, the Indian embassy in Berlin said it was maintaining close contact with Indians injured in the attack.

In a statement, the MEA said that the Indian Mission is providing all possible assistance to the Indians injured in the incident.

“We condemn the horrific and senseless attack on the Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany,” the Foreign Ministry said. “Many precious lives have been lost and many injured. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims.” “Our mission is in touch with the injured Indians and their families and is providing all possible assistance,” the MEA said in a statement.

Local law enforcement officials said a 50-year-old man who drove a car into the crowd has been arrested.

The man is from Saudi Arabia and has been living in Germany since 2006.

Senior prosecutor Horst Walter Knoppens said the motive for the attack was unclear, but the suspect’s dissatisfaction with Germany’s treatment of Saudi refugees may have played a role, according to German broadcaster Deutsche Welle.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Interior Minister Nancy Fesser visited Magdeburg on Saturday.