A car plows into a crowded Christmas market in Germany | Wilnesh News

An “extensive” police operation is underway in an eastern German city after a driver plowed into a crowded Christmas market on Friday, officials said.

A video of the incident, posted on X and located in the city of Magdeburg where it took place, shows a car speeding through a large crowd of shoppers. Dozens of people were crushed while others scrambled to safety. The vehicle accelerates in a straight line before turning right, out of the camera’s view.

Agence France-Presse quoted local emergency services as saying that as many as 80 people were injured in the incident. NBC News could not confirm those numbers and did not know if anyone was killed.

Police are currently conducting an extensive operation at the Magdeburg Christmas Market. Said in X’s post.

Magdeburg is located west of Berlin and is the capital of the state of Saxony-Anhalt.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz warned of a difficult period ahead.

“My heart goes out to the victims and their families,” Scholz posted on social media. X. “We stand with them and with the people of Magdeburg. I would like to thank the rescue workers who are doing their job during these anxious times.”

German Deputy Chancellor Robert Habeck expressed regret over the incident in a Facebook post, calling it “terrible news.” X.

New York City police have increased security at holiday markets as a precaution and in response to incidents in Germany, a senior NYPD official told NBC News on Friday.

Additional resources will be sent to numerous holiday markets and high-profile locations across the city. The official said some overseas markets were threatened, but there was no specific local threat.

This is a breaking news story. Please check back for details.