In a tragic incident, a car was driven into a crowded Christmas market in Germany, leading to the death of one person and leaving around 50 others injured. The incident took place in the city of Trier in southwestern Germany. The car, a grey Range Rover, was allegedly driven at high speed into the pedestrian zone of the city, causing the casualties. The suspect, a 51-year-old German man from Trier, was arrested at the scene and the vehicle was seized.
Authorities have confirmed that the deceased victim was a 73-year-old woman from the city. Among the injured are several children, including a young girl who is said to be in serious condition. The motive behind the incident is not yet clear, but the city's mayor, Wolfram Leibe, referred to it as a "mad rampage." The city center has been cordoned off and people are being urged to avoid the area.
Mayor Leibe expressed his shock and grief at the incident, describing it as a "black day for Trier." He assured residents that the city would stand together in this difficult time. "We will not allow ourselves to be taken away by an act that we do not understand," he said.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has also expressed her condolences to the victims' families and wished the injured a speedy recovery. Merkel said in a statement, "The news from Trier makes me very sad. My sympathy goes to the relatives of the people who were ripped from their lives so suddenly and violently."
The police in Trier have appealed to the public to not spread unverified information about the incident. They have emphasized that investigations are ongoing and that the focus now should be on the victims and their families. This incident has sparked memories of the 2016 attack on a Christmas market in Berlin, where a truck was deliberately driven into crowds, killing 12 people and injuring dozens.