Magdeburg, Germany - December 21, 2024 At least five people were killed and over 200 others injured after a car rammed into a large crowd at a Christmas market in the central German city of Magdeburg Friday evening. A memorial service has been held in Magdeburg on Saturday night to mourn the victims. "It's just so sad what happened here. It is all the more tragic now that it happened here in my hometown of Magdeburg. One would not have liked to imagine that under the worst circumstances, but unfortunately it cannot be changed now," said Peter Heckle, a local resident. Authorities said that the man who drove his car through the crowds for three full minutes on Friday evening will be charged with five counts of murder and some 200 counts of attempted murder - for those injured in the attack. The suspect, a 50-year-old doctor from Saudi Arabia, was an outspoken critic of Islam on social media, and had promoted conspiracy theories regarding an alleged plot by German authorities to "islamizise" Europe. Authorities said they are still not certain of the motive for the attacker who is now in police custody. On Saturday, the country's interior minister accompanied German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on a visit to the scene of what Scholz called a "dreadful tragedy". But it's not the country's first. The incident echoes a tragic attack on Dec 19, 2016, when a terrorist drove a truck into a Berlin Christmas market, killing 12 and injuring over 70 others. The perpetrator fled to Italy, where he was eventually shot dead by police. Late into the evening, mourners continued to bring flowers and light candles at the church across the street. For many, the sadness over the loss of lives is compounded by a sense of lost security. "We didn't expect that. You always have it in the back of your mind that something like that could happen. Like eight years ago with Berlin. Yes, but there's always a bit of fear there too. Yes, you always think about things like that when you're at the Christmas market," said Frank Shubbart, local resident. "Yes! Fear for the children in general that something will happen again, fear again and again," said Bettina, another resident. While security has been boosted in Christmas markets across Germany, Magdeburg's will remain closed for the remainder of the season with city officials saying that "Christmas in Magdeburg is over". SHOTLIST: Magdeburg, Germany - Dec 21, 2024 1. Various of accident site in Christmas market, police officers; 2. Woman crying; 3. Police officers; 4. Various of people laying flowers in memory of victims, flowers; 5. Police officers, cordon; 6. Oxygen mask, medical supplies; 7. Accident site; 8. SOUNDBITE (German) Peter Heckle, local resident (starting with shots 6-7): "It's just so sad what happened here. It is all the more tragic now that it happened here in my hometown of Magdeburg. One would not have liked to imagine that under the worst circumstances, but unfortunately it cannot be changed now."; 9. Various of people in memory of victims; 10. Candles, flowers, toys laid at site; 11. People laying flowers; 12. SOUNDBITE (German) Frank Shubbart, local resident (starting with shot 11): "We didn't expect that. You always have it in the back of your mind that something like that could happen. Like eight years ago with Berlin. Yes, but there's always a bit of fear there too. Yes, you always think about things like that when you're at the Christmas market."; 13. SOUNDBITE (German) Bettina, local resident (full name not given): "Yes! Fear for the children in general that something will happen again, fear again and again."; 14. Various of police officers; 15. Man playing trumpet in memory of victims. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]