Merz in Magdeburg: Anger and fury after Christmas attack permissible

"We stand by your side, today and in the future. And if there is a lack of support, then we are still called upon today to correct and improve this," the conservative politician said at a memorial event marking the anniversary of the attack in the east German city in which six people were killed and hundreds were injured.

In shared mourning, there could be comfort and strength, he said. However, Merz stressed, "Anger and fury are also permissible in the face of cruel crimes, like this one was."

He said that Germany is a country "that values nothing higher than the individual, each person, than the life of a human being."

It is about offering unconditional sympathy where injustice occurs, standing together where violence erupts, and persistently supporting those who experience violence, Merz said.

Premier Reiner Haseloff of Saxony-Anhalt, the state of which Magdeburg is the capital, encouraged people not to let the events restrict them permanently.

"We have experienced vulnerability, but we must not remain vulnerable. That is why it is an important sign that the Christmas market in Magdeburg, just a few metres from here, is taking place again this year," Haseloff said in front of several hundred people affected by the attack.

"We will not capitulate to terror; We will live our lives and our traditions," Haseloff said. The market remained closed on the day of remembrance, however.

On December 20, 2024, a man from Saudi Arabia, who is now on trial, drove a rental car at up to 48 kilometres per hour through the crowd at the Christmas market.

A 9-year-old boy and five women aged 45 to 75 were killed. More than 300 other people were injured.

The attack changed the city and the state, Haseloff asserted: "The wounds have not yet healed, and the horror is still omnipresent."

He recalled the great wave of solidarity after the attack and thanked the numerous volunteers and rescue workers.

"Our coexistence is based on mutual trust, respect for the inviolable dignity of human beings and charity," Haseloff added.

Attackers would be held accountable to the full extent of the law; "But we must not surrender our freedom and dignity by allowing hatred to take root in our hearts," Haseloff concluded.

Mayor Simone Borris said that the attack a year ago left deep wounds in the city, visible and invisible ones, as well as personal, familial and societal ones.

"You carry burdens that cannot easily be put aside," she said, addressing people affected by the attack and their relatives.

A chaplain who provides crisis support, a doctor and a woman affected by the attack spoke at a morning service in Magdeburg's St John's Church. They highlighted the solidarity and the great willingness to help on the night of the attack.

"One thing it showed us: We are there for each other, we stick together and stand up for ourselves. Despite the terrible crime, we will not let our Christmas be taken from us," the woman said.

Within one minute and four seconds everything changed, she said.

A moment earlier, colourful lights, carousels, children's eyes shining, carefreeness and the scents of mulled wine and pastries had defined the peaceful scene. Then the perpetrator's vehicle hurled people through the air and chaos broke out.

"The screams are still in our heads today," the woman said.

She said the city had been fortunate that many people on site had not hesitated to help, including passers-by, firefighters, nurses, care workers and doctors.

"My personal thanks go to all the rescue workers," she added.

The driver who caused the deaths in the attack had used a wide gap between barriers to drive into the Christmas market. Security measures were significantly increased before this year's market opened.

After discussions, the city decided to hold the Christmas market at the same location again.

To investigate the incident, the state parliament set up a parliamentary committee of inquiry, which looked into issues such as authorizations and responsibilities

On Saturday evening, a candlelight vigil was held around the crime scene. At 7:02 pm (1802 GMT), the time of the crime one year ago, the city's church bells rang.