Traditional Christmas markets have reopened across Germany with strengthened security measures following incidents in previous years, German media report.

Organizers stated that this year, in close cooperation with the police, they have developed a new security concept, including additional anti-terror barriers and private security.

Media outlets recall that in December 2024, six people were killed and more than 200 injured in Magdeburg when a car deliberately drove into a crowd of market visitors.

In December 2016, a similar incident occurred during these Christmas markets: at Berlin’s Breitscheidplatz square, a truck ran over and killed 12 people and injured around 50 others.