US EditionGerman Christmas Market Opens Year After Deadly Car Attack
The market opened quietly under armed police protection as survivors and responders gathered in remembrance amid ongoing trial of the accused attacker.
- On Nov 20 Magdeburg's Christmas market opened quietly with a church bell, less than a year after the Nov 20, 2024 attack that killed six and wounded hundreds.
- Officials say the attack mixed personal and extremist motives as Taleb Jawad al-Abdulmohsen, 51, is accused of driving a rented SUV through the crowd, while organizers and locals held the market to preserve Germany's Christmas markets tradition.
- Guarded by armed police and concrete barricades painted green and red, the market featured vendors firing up grills and an amusement ride playing tunes, while memorial plaques and candles honoured victims.
- No grand ceremony marked the 11am silent opening as the high-security trial over the Dec 20, 2024 attack continues nearby, and the market only received clearance this week amid rising security costs; Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged agreement on common standards.
- Survivors and first responders were invited to gather in the square before the market opened, while Magdeburg locals like Regina Fierich appreciated the atmosphere but others said security 'spoils the feel' or felt boxed-in.
16 Articles
16 Articles
Between security and tradition: The Magdeburg Christmas Market opens in spite of ongoing trial against the assassin on Thursday. What visitors say.
Magdeburg’s Christmas Markets Open Under Tight Security
On Thursday, November 20, the Christmas market in the eastern German city of Magdeburg opened to the quiet chimes of a nearby church bell, less than a year after a car-ramming attack killed six people and wounded hundreds. Heavy concrete blocks painted in festive green and red lined the perimeter of the market—part of extensive new security measures introduced at Christmas markets across Germany. According to Mayor of Magdeburg Simone Borris, M…
Video. The Christmas market in Magdeburg reopened with enhanced security, one year after the fatal attack on the carrier car: more than 140 stands, great interest of exhibitors.
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