After the attack in Magdeburg
Security concept and police work in focus
Updated on December 25, 2024Reading time: 2 min.
The attack on the Christmas market in Magdeburg cost five people their lives and injured over 200. We are also looking for errors in police work.
In addition to the investigation into the attack on the Magdeburg Christmas market, we are also looking for errors in police work. Among other things, it concerns a police vehicle that was not at a designated location, as the Interior Ministry in Magdeburg announced when asked.
“At the time of the attack, police vehicles were stationed at the four specified locations around the Magdeburg Christmas market. According to the current status of the investigation, a police vehicle was in the parking bay for taxis on Ernst-Reuter-Allee and therefore not in the location intended according to the police operational concept Location. Why this was the case is the subject of further investigation.”
Questions about the security concept of the organizer of the Christmas market would also be addressed. It’s about what the concept intended to protect the market and thus also the technical security of escape and rescue routes. “It will be examined whether these measures have been implemented by the organizer and if not, why not.”
The ministry also announced that the public prosecutor’s office had filed a criminal complaint against the city of Magdeburg and the Magdeburg police station. “This means that the security concept of the organizer of the Christmas market and the police operational concept as well as their respective implementation could also become the subject of criminal investigations.” In this case, the Halle (Saale) police station would, if necessary, take over the police investigation.
In the attack last Friday evening, a 50-year-old was driving a car through the Christmas market. Five people died and up to 235 were injured. The gunman is in custody.