NewsGate Press Network

Till the last reports came-in, seven Indian nationals have been injured in a attack on Christmas market in Germany that killed five people.

A car allegedly driven by a Saudi dissident and ex-Muslim rammed into a busy market in Magdebury, Germany early in Saturday local time.

The attacker was immediately arrested at the location.

A statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated – ‘We condemn the horrific and senseless attack at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany. Several precious lives have been lost and many have been injured. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims. Our Mission is in contact with Indians who are injured, as well as their families, and rendering all possible assistance.’

Few media despatches are indicating that of the seven Indian nationals injured, three were discharged from hospital.

Reports, quoting police officials, said that a 50-year-old man drove his car into a crowded market place in Saxony-Anhalt in Magdeburg.

Among the dead is a nine-year-old.

The suspected attacker, Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, a Saudi “dissident” who described himself as an ex-Muslim, had boasted on social media that “something big will happen in Germany”.

His posts regularly attacked Muslim immigration in Europe.

The attacker is described as a doctor from Saudi Arabia who migrated to Germany in 2006 and had been working as a psychiatrist in Bernburg which is just south of Magdeburg area.

There were also reports suggesting that a despatch in Financial Times stated that  Saudi authorities had “warned” Germany about the attacker, a “fierce critic of Islam,” having boasted on social media that “something big will happen in Germany.”

However it was not clear whether police in Germany had actually acted upon these warnings from Saudia Arabia.