On the night of the attack in Magdeburg, one of the hospitals takes in most of the victims. NOVA spoke to a Bulgarian doctor who works there. In the first minutes after the attack, the emergency teams are under extreme strain.
Dozens of ambulances head to the Christmas market to transport the wounded. Two helicopters are also involved in the complex rescue operation. Half of the victims have been brought to Dr. Nikolay Tonchev's ward at the University Hospital in the city. “Information was scarce, but coordination was good and we managed to take in most of the victims who were brought to our hospital“, he said.
Endless hours follow as doctors try to stabilize the victims of the attack. “With broken lower limbs, with craniocerebral injuries and in the abdominal area. I think we are prepared, because we are prepared, preventive in this direction. I am sure that the capacity allowed it. It shook us all, both emotionally and professionally“, the doctor pointed out.
Taleb Al Abdulmohsen is the man who is at the heart of the attack according to the authorities. A psychiatrist born in 1974 in Saudi Arabia. It is alleged that he has lived in Germany since 2006 and worked in a clinic. “We do not know the colleague in question, but we are of the opinion that his motives have nothing to do with the medical profession. Such a thing is unacceptable to be committed by anyone, let alone a medical professional“, Dr. Tonchev categorically replied.
By law in Germany, a criminal record is required for anyone who starts working in the healthcare sector. “I am in the surgical department, there are many foreigners, there has never been a different attitude. The fact that the perpetrator is a foreigner is rather due to other factors, not because he is a doctor“, he noted.
The media in Germany write that the detainee has already made a confession. They said that Al Abdulmohassen's motives were related to "discontent with the treatment of refugees from Saudi Arabia".
It also became clear that German authorities have brought charges against the suspect, DPA reported. He is accused of five murders, multiple attempted murders and causing serious bodily harm to more than one person. Al Abdulmohassen remains in pre-trial detention, police said. On Saturday evening, the suspect was brought before a judge.
The NOVA team, which is on site, has learned that consideration is being given to taking over the case by the Federal Prosecutor's Office. Its sole function is to investigate crimes against national security.