Bethany Bell

Magdeburg is in mourning. Outside a church close to the Christmas market, people have been laying flowers and lighting candles. Many were in tears, struggling to understand how an evening of holiday celebrations could turn into such a nightmare. This morning, Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz placed a white rose at the site. He said the attack was a dreadful tragedy.

Magdeburg is in mourning. Outside a church close to the Christmas market, people have been laying flowers and lighting candles. Many were in tears, struggling to understand how an evening of holiday celebrations could turn into such a nightmare. This morning, Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz placed a white rose at the site. He said the attack was a dreadful tragedy.

Other national and regional politicians joined Mr Schultz in paying tribute to the victims. But as they left, there were angry shouts from the crowd. Go away, they yelled. We are the people. More details have emerged about the suspect, who's been named by police as Taleb al-Abdel Mohsen. Originally from Saudi Arabia, he arrived in Germany in 2006 and was recognised as a refugee in 2016.

Other national and regional politicians joined Mr Schultz in paying tribute to the victims. But as they left, there were angry shouts from the crowd. Go away, they yelled. We are the people. More details have emerged about the suspect, who's been named by police as Taleb al-Abdel Mohsen. Originally from Saudi Arabia, he arrived in Germany in 2006 and was recognised as a refugee in 2016.

He worked as a psychiatrist at a specialist clinic in the nearby town of Bernburg. The clinic said he'd worked there since 2020, but had not been on duty since October because of sickness and holiday. Officials are still working to clarify the motive. Germany's interior minister, Nancy Faeser, said the suspect was believed to hold Islamophobic views.

He worked as a psychiatrist at a specialist clinic in the nearby town of Bernburg. The clinic said he'd worked there since 2020, but had not been on duty since October because of sickness and holiday. Officials are still working to clarify the motive. Germany's interior minister, Nancy Faeser, said the suspect was believed to hold Islamophobic views.

At a news conference, the chief prosecutor in Magdeburg, Horst Walter-Norpens, outlined one theory they were investigating.

At a news conference, the chief prosecutor in Magdeburg, Horst Walter-Norpens, outlined one theory they were investigating.

At the news conference, police also said the suspect had driven the car using a route meant for the emergency services, which didn't have barricades, but they denied a lapse in security. The market itself has been closed and is cordoned off. In the words of one local official Christmas in Magdeburg is over.

At the news conference, police also said the suspect had driven the car using a route meant for the emergency services, which didn't have barricades, but they denied a lapse in security. The market itself has been closed and is cordoned off. In the words of one local official Christmas in Magdeburg is over.