[Video transcript]
At the site of the Christmas market in Magdeburg — a sea of flowers and candles for the victims. Tributes are still pouring in for those killed when a driver tore through the market at speed.
The community is deeply shaken by Friday's attack. Those who come to pay their respects at the site are searching for answers.
Constanze Schroete: "I am deeply shocked. It's taken a toll on me. I'm horrified that something like this can happen. Despite the bollards, despite the safety precautions. It makes no sense at all."
As the shock lingers, German authorities are investigating how something like this could happen.
Especially after reports that the suspect had been repeatedly flagged by multiple sources, including by officials in Saudi Arabia — his country of origin.
Germany's security agencies are under pressure to explain why they couldn't stop the attack.
Holger Münch, head of the Federal Criminal Police Office: "We ourselves were once the recipients of a tip-off from Saudi Arabia in November 2023. Proceedings were also initiated here. The police in Saxony-Anhalt then took appropriate investigative measures. But it was so unspecific that in the end it could have been seen as a warning. But he was not known for violent acts."
Although the suspect had no violent history or ties to banned groups, authorities called the attacker a "potential risk" but said no concrete threat set off alarm bells.
Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser: "There were reports, and now it has to be clarified who sent them, when and to which authorities, how was it assessed? Only then, we could say whether it was followed up or not, whether it should have been looked at again, or whether the measures that were taken were sufficient."
The investigation continues, and as residents in Magdeburg mourn, German leaders are promising swift answers.