Several killed and scores injured in Germany as car ploughs into crowd at Christmas market
GuardianDEC 23 2024
Germany: At Least 5 Dead, Scores Injured, After Car Rams into Christmas Market
Above: Police and ambulances stand next to the Christmas market where a car crashed into a crowd on Dec. 20, 2024 in Magdeburg, eastern Germany. Image copyright: NEWS5/AFP/Contributor via Getty Images
The Facts
At least five people were killed and 200 more were injured after a man drove a car through a crowded Christmas Market in the German city of Magdeburg on Friday evening.
A nine-year-old child and four adults were killed, Ronni Krug, the city's deputy mayor, said. He added that of those injured, at least 41 were in serious or critical condition.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene, hearing cries and screams, after the dark-colored vehicle sped through the market. Emergency service workers could be seen setting up makeshift tents and attending to the victims.
The Spin
Right narrative
This tragic act is yet another reminder of the consequences of Europe's unchecked borders, and demands urgent attention to a system that is utterly overwhelmed with millions of asylum claims. Germany's culture of appeasement is endangering its citizens — this must be changed.
Left narrative
This tragedy underscores the escalating political tensions in a nation deeply divided over immigration. Rather than exploiting this incident to score political points and fuel xenophobic narratives, efforts should be put toward holding the perpetrator accountable and addressing glaring security failures that allowed this to happen.
Metaculus Prediction
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