Germany has been enhancing security measures around Christmas markets following a 2016 attack in which a man killed 12 people by driving a truck into a market in Berlin.
The police have increased the presence of both uniformed and plainclothes officers, erected barriers to prevent vehicles from entering crowded areas, installed security cameras, and designated large pedestrian-only zones. Some markets have implemented stop-and-search protocols, and intelligence services have intensified surveillance in collaboration with migration authorities.
This year, Germany also prohibited knives at Christmas markets after a knife attack at a festival in August, with offenders facing fines of up to 10,000 euros (over $10,400).
Despite these precautions, an attacker drove into a crowd at a Christmas market in Magdeburg on Friday, resulting in the deaths of at least five individuals, including a 9-year-old child. The attacker accessed the market through an emergency exit and was arrested shortly after the incident. Authorities identified the driver only as Taleb A. due to privacy laws.
Peter Neumann, a security studies professor, noted that the incident would spark significant debate in Germany, highlighting potential failures in security measures.
Christmas markets are a cherished German tradition and attract large crowds, making them vulnerable to attacks. While the motive for the recent attack remains unclear, the state interior ministry indicated that the suspect appeared to act alone. The driver, a Saudi Arabian citizen, had resided in Germany for decades on a permanent residency visa.
In response to the attack, local leaders reassured residents about the safety of Christmas markets. Bavaria's interior minister, Joachim Herrmann, announced plans to bolster security, while Herbert Reul, the interior minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, stated that current security measures would be adjusted as necessary, although no specific threats had been identified.
Professor Neumann emphasized the importance of identifying potential perpetrators before they can act, noting that a significant percentage of lone-wolf attackers discuss their plans beforehand. However, he acknowledged the challenge security forces face in prioritizing monitoring with limited resources.
Following the 2016 attack, a parliamentary inquiry revealed that police had underestimated the threat level posed by the eventual attacker and raised concerns about inter-departmental cooperation.
Nicolas Stockhammer, a security studies professor, suggested that all Christmas markets should be equipped with automated barriers to restrict vehicle access, except for emergency services. He pointed out that the recent attacker used a lane designated for ambulances, indicating a gap in security.
Dr. Stockhammer remarked that the attacker likely surveyed the market beforehand to identify weak points in security, emphasizing the extraordinary distance he was able to drive without being stopped—400 meters, or over 1,300 feet—before the incident occurred.