Getty Images“I really feel unhealthy, I nonetheless do,” stated Eidwicht, as she stood within the Christmas market near the spot the place the automobile sped by on Friday, killing 5 individuals and injuring greater than 200 others.
“My granddaughter was right here. I rang her as a result of my daughter advised me that one thing had occurred right here. And she did not reply for 2 hours.”
There is deep unhappiness right here – and anger directed on the authorities and migrants. “It cannot go on like this,” stated Eidwicht.
A Saudi refugee aged 50 has been arrested for the assault however the motive is unknown.
Officials say Taleb Al-Abdulmohsen, was an “untypical” attacker. Germany’s Christmas markets and festivals have come underneath assault earlier than, primarily from excessive Islamists.
He has been described as vital of Islam and he additionally voiced help on social media for the far-right Alternative for Germany get together, hailing the get together for combating the identical enemy as him “to guard Germany”.
The AfD has not commented on these posts. The get together held a rally in Magdeburg afterward Monday the place co-leader Alice Weidel referred to as for change “so we are able to lastly stay as soon as once more in safety”. The crowd responded with calls of “deport them” based on information businesses.
Her get together is presently driving excessive within the opinion polls forward of federal elections on 23 February, particularly in states like Saxony-Anhalt within the former East Germany.
This assault has introduced two huge elections points to the fore, safety and immigration, and AfD figures have highlighted each because the assault.
Despite the suspect’s many statements expressing hostility to Islam, the top of the AfD in Sachsen-Anhalt, Martin Reichardt, stated in a press release “the assault in Magdeburg reveals that Germany is being drawn into political and non secular fanaticism that has its origins in one other world”.
In a submit on X, Weidel stated the federal government’s dialogue of recent safety legal guidelines following the assault “should not distract from the truth that Magdeburg wouldn’t have been attainable with out uncontrolled immigration. The state should defend its residents by a restrictive migration coverage and constant deportations!”
ReutersA counter-demonstration additionally happened, with anti-racism teams accusing the AfD of exploiting the assault.
David Begrich from Miteinander e.V. stated individuals within the metropolis wanted an opportunity to catch their breath.
“In the migrant communities, there may be nice concern about being made right into a scapegoat,” he stated. “We don’t desire that. We wish to organise solidarity throughout society, however on the similar time we’re additionally delicate to the voices of those that are actually reacting with worry and uncertainty.”
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier made a plea for nationwide unity, saying “a darkish shadow hangs over this Christmas”.
“Hatred and violence should not have the ultimate phrase. Let’s not permit ourselves to be pushed aside. Let’s stand collectively!” he stated.
Germans are asking how the assault may have occurred, when safety was already heightened at Christmas markets and when authorities had clearly investigated the suspect a number of occasions in recent times.
The menace he posed was thought of “too unspecific”, based on one evaluation, whereas one tip-off towards him in September 2023 seems to have fallen by the cracks.
In one other obvious safety failing, the motive force was additionally in a position to get by a niche that had been left open for emergency entry when it ought to have been stuffed by a police van.
Stallholders on the Christmas market have now been allowed to return again, to throw away previous meals and take away their tools and shares.
None that I approached wished to talk to the BBC. It’s all too uncooked.
There has additionally been hostility in the direction of journalists over the previous few days, particularly after some 2,000 individuals joined a protest by the far proper in Magdeburg on Saturday evening.
The Association of German Journalists stated there had been aggression and threats towards the press and appealed for better police safety.
The BBC group joined mourners gathered in Cathedral Square for a stay stream of the vigil for victims of the assault and lots of who spoke to them stated it was essential to indicate solidarity at a time of horrible misery.
But one girl struck a notice of warning. There are “some Nazis right here, who don’t love journalists,” she stated. “Please watch out.”
