Heartfelt Remembrances for Young Life Lost in Christmas Market Tragedy

Tributes have been offered to a nine-year-old child who was tragically killed in an incident at a German Christmas market.

André Gleissner lost his life after a vehicle surged into a group of shoppers at the market located in Magdeburg on Friday evening, as reported by a local fire brigade.

A social media message, seemingly from André’s mother, referred to him as “my little teddy bear” and expressed that he would “forever live in our hearts”.

In addition, four women aged 45, 52, 67, and 75 also lost their lives in the attack. Authorities have detained a suspect under pre-trial measures on charges of murder, attempted murder, and causing dangerous bodily harm.

Another message of condolence was issued by a fire brigade in the nearby town of Schöppenstedt.

They stated that André was part of the children’s fire brigade in Warle, which is approximately an hour’s drive from Magdeburg.

The children’s fire brigade serves as a youth program for kids ages six to 12 interested in firefighting.

“Our thoughts are with André’s family, whom we also wish to support during this challenging time,” the statement remarked.

The Lower Saxony youth fire brigade similarly paid their respects to the nine-year-old.

“Our heartfelt condolences extend to his family, friends, and all who were close to him,” said their statement.

“We stand with them in this trying period and convey our deepest sympathy,” it further stated.

An online fundraising campaign reportedly launched to support André’s family has secured more than €60,000 (£49,900) in contributions thus far.

The incident on Friday resulted in at least 200 injuries, with some individuals in critical condition.

The identities of the four women who died remain undisclosed.

Police reported that the vehicle crashed into the packed market via an emergency access route at around 19:00 local time (18:00 GMT) on Friday.

Witnesses recounted leaping out of the way of the vehicle, running away, or seeking refuge. Unverified footage on social media showcased the vehicle racing through a pedestrian path amidst the stalls.

Authorities stated that the driver later returned to the roadway and was compelled to stop in traffic, where he was apprehended.

Approximately 100 police officers, emergency responders, and firefighters rushed to the scene, according to city officials.

A 50-year-old man is currently in custody on suspicion of five counts of murder, numerous attempts at murder, and causing dangerous bodily harm, as per police reports.

Local media have identified the suspect as Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, a psychiatrist originally from Saudi Arabia who moved to Germany in 2006.

The reason for the attack is still not clear, but authorities suspect the driver acted independently.

German officials are under scrutiny regarding security protocols following reports of a warning last year concerning the potential risk posed by the suspect.

The Saudi foreign ministry indicated that it alerted the German government about al-Abdulmohsen’s radical views but received no reply.