Tragedy at Magdeburg sparks debate on migration policies
In the attack at the Christmas market in Magdeburg on Friday, nine-year-old Andre Gleissner was tragically killed. The boy was one of five victims. His mother and the local fire brigade have paid tribute to him with heartfelt posts.
The events at the Christmas market continue to linger in people's minds, where a car was driven into a crowd on Friday evening.
As a consequence of the attack, five individuals lost their lives, including nine-year-old Andre Gleissner. The perpetrator, a Saudi national who had been residing in Germany since 2006, has been apprehended.
The mother of the deceased boy, Désirée Gleissner, shared an emotional message on Facebook, bidding farewell to her son.
"Let my little bear fly around the world again..." she wrote, conveying her profound grief at losing her child. Andre was a member of the children's fire brigade in Warle, a fact that the local firefighters noted, urging support for the family.
During the funeral service in Magdeburg, Bishop Friedrich Kramer reflected on the tragedy, questioning how one might explain such a senseless death to children.
"Is there still a safe place that nobody will destroy?" he wondered, offering his sympathies to the families of the victims.
Discussion on migration policy
The attack has prompted widespread outrage among the German public and sparked a discussion about migration policy.
Some media outlets suggest that this incident is a result of losing control over borders, urging reflection on past political mistakes.
The man responsible for the attack, a 50-year-old psychiatrist, was known for holding anti-Islamic views and for his online activity. He sympathised with the right-wing party AfD.
