World
Suspect in Magdeburg Christmas Market Ramming Attack Identified as 50-Year-Old Male from Saudi Arabia
Reports from rescue services estimate that 60 to 80 individuals have sustained injuries of varying severity.
Magdeburg, Germany — A tragic and devastating attack on the Christmas market in Magdeburg has left at least 5 people dead and over 200 injured.
Authorities have identified the suspect as a 50-year-old male, a doctor from Saudi Arabia who is reportedly employed in Saxony-Anhalt, the same state where the incident took place.
The attack unfolded when a vehicle plowed into the crowded market, driving “straight into the crowd,” according to witnesses.
Early reports suggest the involvement of two vehicles in what appears to be a coordinated terrorist attack.
Local rescue services estimate that between 60 and 80 people sustained injuries of varying severity, with some in critical condition.
Adding to the alarm, German police suspect an explosive device may be present in one of the vehicles used in the assault.
Bomb disposal teams and a heavy police presence have been deployed to secure the area. Law enforcement has urged residents to avoid the vicinity as investigations and safety operations continue.
Germany’s Prime Minister, Reiner Haseloff, is traveling to Magdeburg to oversee the response to this act of violence.
Extensive police measures remain in place, and officials have called for calm as they work to uncover the details behind the attack.
The historic Magdeburg Christmas market, a significant seasonal attraction, was filled with visitors at the time of the attack.
The city, which is the capital of Saxony-Anhalt and home to approximately 240,000 residents, is now reeling from the incident.
Magdeburg police and local public broadcaster MDR have confirmed that one suspect has been arrested.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are treating the attack as a planned and deliberate act of terror.
This heinous act has sent shockwaves across Germany and the international community, casting a somber shadow over the holiday season.
Further updates are expected as officials continue their inquiries. Residents are encouraged to report any information or suspicious activity to local authorities immediately.
![MAGDEBURG, GERMANY – A devastating incident unfolded at a Christmas market in Magdeburg on [date], leaving at least 11 people dead and approximately 60 others injured. Witnesses reported that a vehicle drove "straight into the crowd," causing widespread chaos and fatalities.](https://channel2now.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/At-least-11-dead-60-injured-after-vehicle-crashes-into-Christmas-market-in-Magdeburg-Germany-1-400x240.png?v=1734724731)
![MAGDEBURG, GERMANY – A devastating incident unfolded at a Christmas market in Magdeburg on [date], leaving at least 11 people dead and approximately 60 others injured. Witnesses reported that a vehicle drove "straight into the crowd," causing widespread chaos and fatalities.](https://channel2now.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/At-least-11-dead-60-injured-after-vehicle-crashes-into-Christmas-market-in-Magdeburg-Germany-1-80x80.png?v=1734724731)
SAGAMU, Ogun State, Nigeria — The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed that Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, the driver of the Lexus SUV involved in the fatal motor vehicle collision that injured British heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua and killed two passengers, has been formally charged in court.
Police officials stated that Kayode, 46, was arraigned on Thursday, January 2, 2026, before the Sagamu Magistrate Court, where he faces charges of reckless and dangerous driving.
The case has been adjourned until January 20, 2026, for further proceedings.
According to police, the crash occurred earlier in the week along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, a major highway in southwestern Nigeria.
The Lexus SUV was transporting Anthony Joshua and two of his close associates, Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami, when it collided with a stationary truck parked along the roadway.
Both Ayodele and Ghami sustained fatal injuries in the crash.
Police spokesperson Oluseyi Babaseyi confirmed that the defendant was granted bail in the sum of ₦5 million (approximately $3,480 USD), with two sureties, and was remanded in custody pending the fulfillment of the bail conditions.
The Ogun State Police Command reiterated in a public update that the arraignment followed a comprehensive preliminary investigation into the circumstances of the collision.
Authorities emphasized that investigations remain ongoing.
Anthony Joshua, a former world heavyweight boxing champion, survived the crash but reportedly suffered significant emotional trauma as a result of the incident.
Ayodele and Ghami were described as long-time friends, training partners, and key members of Joshua’s professional support team, regularly accompanying him before, during, and after major fights.
Ayodele was notably present ringside during Joshua’s recent bout, where he was seen holding the Nigerian flag.
The remains of the two deceased men were transported to a mortuary in Sagamu.
Both were reported to be Muslims, and arrangements for burial in accordance with Islamic rites are pending. Officials have not yet confirmed when their bodies will be repatriated to the United Kingdom.
Authorities have also renewed calls for improved road safety enforcement, particularly concerning the illegal and prolonged parking of heavy-duty trucks along highways, which has been cited as a recurring hazard on Nigerian roads.
The Ogun State Police Command urged motorists to exercise caution, adhere strictly to speed limits, and ensure proper judgment when overtaking or maneuvering on highways.
Further updates are expected as the case proceeds through the court system.