THIS is the moment police arrest a Saudi doctor after his car plowed into a crowd of shoppers at a Christmas market.
Police have arrested a man believed to be driving a BMW SUV in the horrific incident in Magdeburg, central Germany.
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Armed police could be heard shouting at the man to get on the ground as they arrested him
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Soon, police vans with armed reinforcements pulled up and spilled onto the pavement
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A man could be seen raising his hands – as police allegedly made an arrest
At least two people were killed, including a young child, and up to 80 were injured – some critically.
The suspect – reportedly 50 years old – was not known to German authorities as an Islamic extremist, the DPA news agency reported.
State leader Reiner Haselhoff said the arrested man was a Saudi doctor working in Saxony-Anhalt.
The police confirmed that they are not looking for another suspect at this time.
The car is described as having driven 400 meters through the busy festive market shortly after 7pm, after breaking through the security barriers.
Video footage of the suspect’s arrest shows him with his hands up before he lay on the ground.
An armed police officer can be seen shouting at him with a gun raised – before vans full of reinforcements race down the street.
One officer jumps over a roadblock as they swarm around the suspect.
Other graphic footage this evening appeared to show a dark car plowing into a dense crowd at the market, leaving dozens of people on the ground.
Saxony-Anhalt Prime Minister Reiner Erich Haseloff confirmed that two people had died, including a child.
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He then lay down on the ground as a shout was heard in the background
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Armed officers at the market Credit: AP
In an initial report, officers said: “There is currently an extensive police operation taking place at the Christmas market in Magdeburg.
“The downtown Christmas market is closed. Further reports will be sent.”
The police are not yet sure if this is a lone perpetrator.
The Christmas market took to Instagram to ask people to stay away.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the reports “suggest that something terrible is about to happen”.
In a post on X, he said: “My thoughts are with the victims and their families. We stand with them and with the people of Magdeburg.
“I thank the dedicated rescuers in these anxious hours.”
Matthias Schuppe, a government spokesman in the province of Saxony-Anholt, said it was an “attack” in comments to local media.
A local police spokesman said: “We don’t yet know exactly what happened.”
Eight years ago, a truck driven by a failed asylum seeker from Tunisia with Islamist ties plowed into a crowded Christmas market in Berlin, killing 12 people and injuring dozens more.
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Emergency crews on sceneCredit: Getty
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At least two people died Credit: Rex
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The market is closed Credit: AP
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Police and ambulances work next to the Christmas marketCredit: AFP
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Reiner Haseloff gives statement Credit: AP
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