UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – The British Prime Minister condemned the attack in Magdeburg, where a car drove through a Christmas market, leaving two dead and 60 injured.
The Labour leader expressed his shock and horror over the tragic event in Germany.
Around 7 pm, the vehicle was driven into the bustling Christmas market. This incident caused two casualties and at least 60 others injured.
Sir Starmer posted on X and stated,
“I am horrified by the atrocious attack in Magdeburg tonight. My thoughts are with the victims, their families and all those affected. We stand with the people of Germany.”
I am horrified by the atrocious attack in Magdeburg tonight.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) December 20, 2024
My thoughts are with the victims, their families and all those affected.
We stand with the people of Germany.
According to the Foreign Office, the government has been in contact with German officials and is closely following the developments.
David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, condemned the events in Magdeburg, stating he was “appalled” and confirmed support to Germany’s counterpart.
Sir Keir and David Lammy, alongside leaders from neighbouring countries, shared their support after the horror event in Magdeburg.
According to German local broadcaster MDR, Saxony-Anhalt Prime Minister Reiner Haseloff confirmed that the victims of the attack included an adult and a toddler. He also revealed that the suspect, a Saudi national living in Germany since 2006 and working as a doctor, was identified as the attacker.
German government sources reported that 15 individuals were seriously injured, while more than 30 had moderate injuries and 16 had minor wounds.
This incident is a suspected repeat of the 2016 Christmas market attack in Berlin, where an extremist used a vehicle to kill 13 people and injure many more.
The attacker of the Berlin strike was gunned down by police in Italy days after the Christmas market attack.
Many other British politicians and global leaders also condemned this German attack.
The Shadow home secretary Chris Philp stated, “The perpetrator, and anyone supporting them, must feel the full force of the law.”
The former immigration secretary, Robert Jenrick, called the attack “yet another terrible warning” using it to advocate for his tough stance on migration.
After failing to win the Tory leadership election against Kemi Badenoch, the shadow justice secretary urged that politicians must act to ensure the safety of the public at Christmas markets.
Italian PM Giorgia Meloni also condemned the incident, saying “I am deeply shocked by the brutal attack on the defenseless crowd at the Christmas market in Magdeburg.”
The Secretary-General of NATO, Mark Rutte, expressed sympathy for Germany following the attack.
In 2024, road incidents in Britain resulted in 1,607 deaths, a 2% decline from the previous year. The number of people who seriously died or killed remained steady at around 29,540. Overall, the total number of casualties, including all levels of injury, dropped by 4%, totalling about 128,920.
Prime Minister Sir Keir assured support to Germany after this incident occurred.
Sir Starmer was also invited to the Christmas function. The campaign group Save British Farming has launched a Christmas appeal, encouraging children to write letters to both Sir Keir Starmer and Santa, sharing their hopes for British farming in the next year.