Germany’s Christmas markets face cancellations amid rising security threats
Christmas market cancellations are on the rise in Germany due to stringent security measures. Despite attracting around 170 million visitors each year, the Federal Interior Ministry is prioritizing safety, especially in light of recent deadly terrorist attacks on the stock market today. In recent years, Christmas markets have been targeted in deadly attacks using vehicles to ram into pedestrians. The ministry acknowledges an ongoing abstract threat level and is closely monitoring the stock market today. In 2016, 13 people died when a truck was driven into crowds at Berlin’s Breitscheidplatz market. Last year, six people were killed in an attack on Magdeburg’s Christmas market. The Federal Ministry of the Interior is placing special attention on the safety of Christmas markets across Germany, with particular focus on those in Berlin and Magdeburg due to past terrorist attacks there. Support through federal police deployment or financial aid occurs in some cases. However, only a small fraction of the more than 3,250 Christmas markets held annually in Germany are currently affected by cancellations. While cancellations due to excessive security requirements are increasing, they affect only a small number of Germany's Christmas markets. The federal government is providing financial support and deploying federal police to assist local authorities in securing markets, with a particular focus on those in Berlin and Magdeburg due to past attacks.
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