Increased security at German Christmas markets after Magdeburg attack
Following the attack in Magdeburg on Friday, the German authorities have decided to increase the number of officers at Christmas markets. This information was reported by the rbb24 portal, citing Iris Spranger, the Berlin Senator for Internal Affairs.
On Saturday morning, it remained uncertain which of the Berlin and Brandenburg markets would be closed or operate with limited hours, due to the events in Magdeburg. At least five people were killed in the attack.
DPA reports that other German federal states are also tightening security measures at their markets. In Bavaria and Hamburg, the police presence has been increased, and in Thuringia, the Ministry of Internal Affairs is discussing potential security improvements with market organisers. Leipzig also plans to increase the number of officers.
The German security services are working intensively on increasing patrols and implementing strict visitor controls at the Christmas markets. Additional measures have been taken in response to growing threats to ensure the peace of holiday celebrations. Many German markets are already using concrete barriers to prevent potential attackers from driving into pedestrians.
Attack at the Magdeburg market eight years after the tragedy in Berlin
The attack in Saxony-Anhalt on Friday occurred nearly eight years after the tragic terrorist attack on the Christmas market in Berlin. On 19 December 2016, a terrorist drove a lorry into a crowd at Breitscheidplatz, near the Memorial Church, killing 13 people and injuring over 70.
Hours earlier, the police had released a Pakistani man arrested immediately after the attack, stating there was no evidence that he was behind the wheel when the lorry ploughed into people. The so-called Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack.
