Saudi man drives BMW into crowded Christmas market in Germany, killing 2 and injuring over 60

Two people were killed and more than 60 others were injured when a speeding BMW crashed through a gathering of people at a Christmas market in the eastern German city of Magdeburg on the night of Dec 20.

Authorities have detained Taleb A, a 50-year-old Saudi resident, in relation to the attack.

One of the two confirmed deaths was a toddler. Authorities have criticized the situation and warned that the death toll could rise.

Taleb is a Saudi Arabian doctor in psychotherapy and psychiatry. In 2006, he relocated to Germany and received refugee status in 2016.

According to the Interior Minister of Saxony-Anhalt state Tamara Zieschang, Taleb later obtained a permanent residence permit.

Following the attack, Saxony-Anhalt’s governor, Reiner Haseloff confirmed that, as of now, Taleb appears to be a lone perpetrator, and there is no immediate danger to the city.

However, the motive behind the attack remains unclear, and authorities are still investigating the situation.

Matthias Schuppe, the regional government spokesperson, and Michael Reif, the city spokesperson, both suspected it was a planned act.

In a statement, Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry denounced the incident and expressed support for the German people.

It reaffirmed its stance against violence and offered its sympathies to the victims' families. But it made no reference to the individual who had been arrested.

The suspected strike occurred eight years after an attack on a Christmas market in Berlin.

On Dec 19, 2016, an Islamic extremist drove a truck through a crowded Christmas market, killing 13 and injuring many. Days later, the attacker was killed in an Italian shootout.

With centuries of history, German Christmas markets have grown to be a popular holiday attraction in Germany and much of the Western world.

Last month, more than 100 markets opened in Berlin alone.