Saudi Arabia expresses ‘solidarity’ with Germany after fatal Christmas-market car-ramming attack

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia showed its "solidarity" for Germany on Friday after one of its citizens was detained in connection with a fatal car-ramming incident at a Christmas market.

The government expressed "solidarity with the German people and the families of the victims", the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on social media platform X, and "affirmed its rejection of violence".

The driver was detained at the scene shortly after his vehicle crashed into the market around 7:00 pm, when it was crowded with holiday shoppers preparing for the weekend. The confirmed fatalities include an adult and a child, though authorities noted that more deaths could not be ruled out, as 15 others were seriously injured.

Verified footage from a bystander, shared by the German news agency dpa, showed the suspect being arrested on a walkway in the middle of the road. A nearby officer, pointing a firearm at the man, ordered him to lie down. Other officers quickly arrived to take him into custody.

Agency