Despite the security concerns for the Christmas market in Magdeburg, the markets in Saxony's largest cities will go ahead. The 591st Dresden Striezelmarkt is safe and will open as planned on November 26, a city spokeswoman said on request. The same applies to the Christmas markets in Leipzig (November 25 to December 23) and Chemnitz (November 28 to December 23). There, it was said that the security concepts had been adapted following the attack on the Christmas market in Magdeburg last year.
Leipzig postpones opening time of Christmas market
In Leipzig, almost 180 additional mobile barriers were ordered to secure the city center, a city spokesperson said. The Christmas market is the largest event in the trade fair city and attracts up to 2.5 million people.
"The attack in Magdeburg has made all organizers even more aware of the issue of security. The concepts have been revised," said the director of the Christmas market in Leipzig, Walter Ebert, to the German Press Agency.
This will be noticeable for guests when the market opens. The market with around 300 stalls will only open at 11 a.m., an hour later than usual. Until then, delivery traffic will be permitted, after which the entrance barriers will be activated and the area will no longer be accessible. After that, only emergency vehicles from the fire department and police will be able to pass.
Heavy blocks, grids and concrete elements block passage
In addition to the existing fixed barriers, 135 octa blocks weighing around 300 kilograms, 23 scissor grids (pitagone) and 20 concrete elements were ordered. According to store manager Ebert, specially trained personnel from a private security company will stand at the barriers to allow emergency or cleaning vehicles to pass.
In addition, patrols from the police and the municipal security service will provide security. "There are no indications of a specific increased danger, but 100 percent security cannot be guaranteed at any event," emphasized Ebert. However, the security concept had been drawn up in consultation with the police and the public order office. Visitors should be able to enjoy the ten themed villages and the fairytale land at the Christmas market in Leipzig to the full, said Ebert.
Parallel to this, the Federal Police have declared Leipzig Central Station a kind of weapons ban zone. Knives and other dangerous objects are prohibited there on weekends from November 14 to December 22. The reason for this is the increased number and intensity of violent crimes on railroad facilities. Compliance with the ban will be monitored and controlled by federal police officers.
Security concerns for Magdeburg Christmas market
On Monday, it was announced that the Magdeburg Christmas market would not be granted a permit for the time being due to discussions about the security concept. The background to this was a letter from the State Administration Office to the city in which this concept was criticized almost a year after the devastating attack, the city had announced. Among other things, it concerns access protection and the security forces.
Almost a year ago, an attacker drove through the Christmas market in a 340 hp rental car, killing six people and injuring around 300, some of them seriously. The trial against the accused from Saudi Arabia began in Magdeburg on Monday. The indictment accuses the 51-year-old of six counts of murder and attempted murder of a further 338 people.
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