NEW DELHI: Indian Embassy in Germany on Monday said that they are in “close contact” with all the 7 Indians who sustained injuries in the Christmas market car attack in Germany, and their families.
The Embassy also added that 3 of the 7 injured Indians in the Magdeburg Christmas Market attack have been discharged and the remaining are still under treatment.
“Embassy has been in close contact with all the 7 Indians injured in the attack at the Magdeburg Christmas Market on 20 Dec 2024. 3 of the Indians have been discharged, while the remaining are under treatment. Mission is in regular touch with them and actively providing requisite support. Mission is also in touch with their families,” the embassy said in a post on X.
During the Christmas incident, a Saudi physician drove into a bustling market, resulting in five fatalities, including a nine-year-old child, and more than 200 casualties.
The accused, Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, aged 50 and a Saudi psychiatric doctor, ploughed a vehicle into the packed market on Friday evening, causing five deaths and injuring 200 people.
The casualties included four women, aged 45, 52, 67, and 75, along with a nine-year-old boy identified as Andre Gleissner. Forty-one individuals sustained severe injuries.
The Saudi physician, who resides in Germany, remains in police detention, facing potential charges of murder, attempted murder, and causing bodily harm. A judicial authority ordered his continued detention whilst awaiting possible charges.
News outlets identified him as Taleb A., a specialist in psychiatry and psychotherapy who has lived in Germany since 2006. His social media activity shows anti-Islamic views and opposition to German officials. “straightforward labels like ‘Islamist terrorism’ or ‘extreme right-wing’ don’t fully reflect the dizzying range of beliefs and ideologies we see,” observed Ken McCallum, head of Britain’s MI5. Investigators indicate his possible motivation stems from “dissatisfaction with the treatment of Saudi refugees in Germany.”
German officials face scrutiny over security oversights. In November 2023, Saudi Arabia sent an imprecise warning about the suspect to the Federal Criminal Police Office. Despite his numerous online posts, interactions with authorities, and threatening behaviour, he wasn’t considered dangerous. The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees also received an alert about him last year.
Following the incident, several German towns cancelled their Christmas markets. Berlin enhanced security at its markets. Chancellor Olaf Scholz received criticism during his Magdeburg visit on Saturday. This event follows other extremist occurrences in Germany, including a Solingen knife attack in August and a 2016 lorry attack at a Berlin Christmas market. The Magdeburg market resumed operations on Sunday, with locals paying tribute at an informal memorial.